Matthijs de Ligt draws consequences from the reserve role at the World Cup

Defensive star Matthijs de Ligt learned his lessons from what he saw as a sobering World Cup with the Netherlands. The reserve role at the finals in Qatar “shook him up,” said de Ligt in an interview with the Munich Mercury/tz.

“I had to change something, try something new,” explained the 23-year-old. “In my opinion, not being a regular at a World Cup cannot be a claim for someone of my quality.”

After the World Cup he analyzed his situation. “I recovered well for two weeks to start training again in the last week of vacation,” said de Ligt. The Dutchman also changed his diet in this context. “I feel more explosive and better than before in my body. That helps me on the pitch: if you’re fit, you’re a bit faster – in the game with and without the ball,” said the defender.

The summer signing has featured in five of the six league games since the restart in Bayern’s starting lineup.

De Ligt also looked with respect at the top game against the pursuer Union Berlin on Sunday (5:30 p.m.) with the same number of points. “They’re having an excellent season: they’re level on points with us – that says it all!” said de Ligt.

“We all know how important the game is. The last results weren’t all good, we know that, and that makes us all the hungrier,” emphasized the Oranje star: “We want – and have to – keep the three points in Munich.” After only nine points from six games, the German record champions wanted to “start a series against Union”.