Matthijs de Ligt “didn’t expect” to be benched when Juventus visited Parma. “Naturally I would’ve preferred to play and I didn’t get any clues.”
The 20-year-old completed a transfer worth €85.5m from Ajax this summer, but he watched on from the sidelines at the Stadio Tardini in the 1-0 opening Serie A victory.
“Naturally, I would’ve preferred to play and I didn’t get any clues from training, so I didn’t expect to be on the bench,” De Ligt told reporters including Dutch paper AD in the mixed zone.
“Obviously, I respect the decision of the Coach. I must be realistic, as I am still settling in here in Italy. The defenders who played, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, were considered for a long time to be the best centre-back partnership in the world.
“I have to earn my place throughout the season. The first five weeks have been tough on a physical level, but I do notice that I’m getting stronger. Defensively, the demands are not that different to what I was accustomed to at Ajax, as the Coach wants us to anticipate the movement.
“I am still getting to grips with the language and I know some football terms, but I want to improve my Italian a great deal. I’m attending a course five times a week and that is going well.”
hakbcdikmt
143
its just the beginning kid. since u value money sit on the bench and watch
whykallar
101
You went for the money, so you deserved to be bench and get the money, wait for injury to be on the first team.
TheDarKnight13
94
De Ligt is probably the most expensive bench player of the history[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Smart326
80
De ligt, juv got you so that you will not be a problem to them on this year UCL, when they will face your old team 😂😂 but you still a good player 🙌🙌🙌
vfc1
64
you will be on the bench in the next game as well coz sarri wont take any risk of playing you against a team like napoli
DCkathimpu19
55
I think 2D’s ( Dybala and De Ligt) are going to regret with their decision. Just see, this is the problem to go to the bigger clubs for the young stars. If they don’t get the enough play time, they cannot maintain consistency and their market value drops.
bbk060
46
Don't worry boy, you made a choice and hopefully those center back legends either of them will alow you to start next game... You are still young 🧒 and is part of football
MobePoku
42
Hey De Ligt, it's probably kinda tactical issue. Maybe you wouldn't fit into Sarri's kinda tactical play else you're not a kinda bench player. I'm a Barça fanatic and it pained me much when you chose to go to Juventus but I kinda understood your decision cos as a defender, Serie A is the league to bring out the best in you. Wish you best of luck and more success😘
Perecozy
32
De Ligt we all understand you perfectly well I know how excited you are playing your first game but it happened that you were on the bench, chill bro don’t feel bad for been on the bench is just the first game and I certain that you have plenty games to play for