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Tag: De Ligt

  • De Ligt on target as Man Utd thrash Southampton

    De Ligt on target as Man Utd thrash Southampton

    Matthijs de Ligt scored his first goal for Manchester United as Erik ten Hag’s side claimed a much-needed Premier League victory at Southampton.

    The Red Devils went into the recent international break on a low after being comprehensively beaten by Liverpool, and needed to put in a performance on their return to action.

    They survived a difficult start before a penalty save by Andre Onana from Cameron Archer proved the turning point as soon after they took the lead.

    Summer signing De Ligt got the opener, heading into the bottom corner from Bruno Fernandes’ fantastic ball into the box.

    Six minutes later Manchester United doubled their lead, Marcus Rashford opening his account for the season with his first goal since March, guiding a low strike through a crowd into the net.

    The double blow seemed to quell Southampton’s eagerness and Manchester United were comfortable in the second half.

    A bad day was rounded off for Southampton when Jack Stephens was shown a straight red card late on for a reckless challenge on Alejandro Garnacho.

    The substitute then wrapped up the win for the visitors with a thumping finish into the roof of the net deep into stoppage time.

    BBC

  • We miss Ronaldo’s 30 goals a season – Juve defender

    We miss Ronaldo’s 30 goals a season – Juve defender

    Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt admits they miss Cristiano Ronaldo.

    De Ligt was speaking after their 2-0 win against Udinese.

    He explained, “I think so, yes. Cristiano is the kind of player who goes into the box and will always get a goal, he rarely wastes an opportunity.

    “We have missed that since the start of the season.

    “We don’t have a hitman who can score 30 goals per season, but we do need to contribute goals from everyone and everywhere, which is starting to happen now.”

  • Netherlands out of Euros because of me – De Ligt

    Netherlands out of Euros because of me – De Ligt

    Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt blames himself for Netherlands elimination from Euro 2020.

    De Ligt was sent off as Holland lost to the Czech Republic on Sunday night.

    “Obviously, it hurts,” De Ligt said live on NOS TV after the final whistle.

    “Fundamentally, we lost the game because of what I did. With hindsight, I shouldn’t have let the ball bounce. I felt like we had the game under control and had a few chances, especially in the first half.

    “I didn’t even have the sensation that the Czechs were creating many scoring opportunities, but obviously the red card made the difference.”

  • Euro 2020: Italy yet to be tested – De Ligt

    Euro 2020: Italy yet to be tested – De Ligt

    Juventus’ Holland defender Matthijs de Ligt insists Italy are yet to prove themselves at the Euros.

    The Azzurri are into the round of 16, but De Ligt says they’re yet to be tested.

    “I’ve watched Italy, they play really well,” said De Ligt.

    “They don’t even seem Italians. They attack, they press high up the pitch and that’s nice to see.

    “However, just like us, they didn’t play against top teams like Germany, Portugal or France. That’s the next step for them and us.”

  • Man Utd never tried for me – Juve defender

    Man Utd never tried for me – Juve defender

    Manchester United never made contact over a deal to sign Matthijs de Ligt, the Juventus defender has revealed.

    The young stopper left Ajax for Juventus in 2019 and recalled the huge interest in his services at the time.

    A number of teams were linked but the player himself has revealed a lack of an approach from United.

    He told reporters: “I never heard anything from [United.

    “It was like you were in school, like with math. It was a long process.

    “You weigh the pros and cons and in the end, I ended up choosing Juventus.”

  • De Ligt undergoes shoulder surgery, as Matuidi departs Juventus

    De Ligt undergoes shoulder surgery, as Matuidi departs Juventus

    Defender Matthijs de Ligt has undergone surgery in his shoulder and faces a recovery period of about three months, Italian champions Juventus said on Wednesday.

    The Dutch national had his shoulder stabilised in a Rome clinic on his 21st birthday, after he had played with pain in the joint in the last part of the season.

    Juventus will miss him for the first two months of the league, which starts on Sept. 19.

    The Turin club bought de Ligt from Ajax last year for 75 million euros (88.4 million dollars).

    After a period of adjustment he became a mainstay for the Bianconeri, closing the season with 29 league appearances and four goals.

    The Bianconeri also bid farewell to French midfielder Blaise Matuidi, a 2018 world champion who leaves Turin after three seasons.

    The 33-year-old is expected to sign with a club of the North American Major League Soccer (MLS).

  • De Ligt reveals why he joined Juventus

    Defender Matthijs de Ligt says manager Maurizio Sarri is one of the main reasons he joined Juventus.

    The 19-year-old centre-back had been linked with a number of Europe’s top clubs but completed a £67.5m move to the Italian champions on Thursday.
    Former Chelsea boss Sarri was unpopular with some supporters at Stamford Bridge and left the club earlier this summer after less than a year in charge.
    “He was one of the reasons that I wanted to join here,” said De Ligt.
    “I spoke to Sarri on the phone before coming just to get to know each other.
    “I’ve heard a lot of good things about him and I like his footballing philosophy and how he prepares his defence.”
    Sarri attempted to implement his attacking style while Chelsea manager but left at the end of last season despite finishing third in the Premier League and winning the Europa League.

  • Why I’m joining Juventus – De Ligt

    Why I’m joining Juventus – De Ligt

    Ajax defender, Matthijs de Ligt has revealed why he had chosen Juventus ahead of other clubs.

    De Ligt said that as a boy, he dreamed of being with Cristiano Ronaldo and he even owned a United shirt with the Portuguese star’s name on the back.

    Ronaldo, after Portugal’s win over Netherlands, had told De Ligt to consider joining him at Juventus.

    The 19-year-old centre-back has emerged as one of the hottest talents in Europe after a superb season at the back for the Dutch champions.

    De Ligt’s current form has brought about interest from across Europe with Manchester United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain all jostling for his signature.

    The defender is closing in on a move to the Serie A giants where he will link up with his boyhood hero.

    He has reportedly agreed a five-year contract at Juve and the prospect of playing with Ronaldo clearly appeals to him.

    Speaking to Dutch magazine VI recently, De Ligt explained: “It all went quickly, I realise that sometimes. During the season, at the club and during competitions, you don’t really have the time to review everything as a player.

    “But sometimes there are times when I realise that it is not normal. Like recently, when I had dinner with some childhood friends.

    “We came to the conclusion that I always wanted to be Cristiano Ronaldo when we were playing football in the garden. That was especially in his time when he played at Manchester United.

    “My first football shirt also belonged to him from that time. That dinner was just after the meetings with Juventus, in which I had to fight duels with the same Ronaldo.”