180 degree turn in De Ligt’s situation

Sometimes up and sometimes down. This is life and this, with a 180 degree turn, is the situation of Matthijs de Ligt within Bavaria. The 24-year-old Dutchman reached his lowest point after a decisive match against Bayer Leverkusen on February 10, resulting in a 3-0 favorable score for the Xabi Alonso.

The last in line

Thomas Tuchelwho will leave the Munich bench at the end of this season, has opted for a line of three center-backs, leaving the equation De Ligt in favor of Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jaewho had just returned from his Asia Cup trip, and Eric Dierincorporated in January.

It was especially painful to integrate English back then De Ligtwhich from the beginning is the third option of Tuchel behind the Upamecano and Min-Jae, best defense in Serie A 2022-23. However, the situation has changed significantly in recent weeks, making the stocking metaphor short.

7 minutes in four games

Upamecanosuccessively banished from Rome, in defeat against the lazio (1-0), and Bochumwhere is he Bavaria chained his third consecutive KO (3-2), from being unquestionable he has played only 7 minutes in the last four games -three wins and a draw for the Bavarians-.

That’s four matches, except for the draw match Freiburg (2-2), when he was not in the game when he was sanctioned De Ligthaving completed its cycle, Kim Min-jae He also started as a replacement, being De Ligt and Dier the starting middle couple in the achievements of Bavaria about RB Leipzig (2-1), lazio (3-0) and Mainz 05 (8-1).

“It’s very difficult for Min-jae, because he deserves to play and he’s good. But that’s how things are sometimes. Eric -Dier- and Matthijs -De Ligt- played two games at home and they were good, so will continue they are in alignment,” declared Tuchel when asked about the changing of the guard in the Munich defense. About Upamecano, the coach said he “suffered a bit” because of the two red cards he received. Now they have to wait.