February 25th Bayern central defender De Ligt accepted an exclusive interview with “Munich Daily” reporter Manuel Bonke
:
About the game against Union Berlin
De Ligt: “We all know how important this game is. The results of the last few games have not been the best. We know this, which makes us want it all the more. We hope, and we must, in the
Munich keep the three points.”
Did you know Union Berlin before you came to the Bundesliga?
“I know this team because of Dutch players like Becker, because they had a good season last year and qualified for the Europa League, and they’ve played really well this season.”
What does it mean to play at Bayern?
“Showing discipline while being positive and healthy, showing your confidence on the pitch, showing your inner strength, showing that you want to win games with attractive football, for me that’s what it’s all about.
Bayern’s DNA.”
On Bayern’s form this season
“The first half of the season was not only a physical challenge, but also a mental challenge. But the fact that we want to win every game hasn’t changed. We talked a lot about not being 100% in 2023.
Come on, what we want is to start a winning streak against Union Berlin.”
About Bayern being called “Hollywood” because of the many off-field topics
“Even at Ajax and Juventus, there was a lot of public talk. But I tried to focus on the pitch. Off the pitch is part of a big club and it’s important that we don’t allow ourselves to be distracted.
”
About my life in Munich
“For the first 2-3 months I lived in a hotel in the city. It was then that I got to know the good side of Munich and immediately realized how much I liked the city. I now live in a hotel far from the city center
I saw a lot of natural landscapes, which I also like. Munich offers a good combination of landscapes.”
About Character and Leadership
“Off the court, I would describe myself as an observant and more reserved person until I get to know people better. But on the court it’s different, I know that I can help in terms of communication and leadership.
teammates.
That’s why I was pushing for this in Munich in the first place, I may not be the one to yell a lot, but I’m trying to be a role model with mentality, attitude and willpower, that’s my definition of a leader.
”
About Thomas Müller
“Thomas is a great guy, I don’t know anyone else like him. He always seems to be happy, he’s easygoing, he always connects with people, whereas I’m a more reserved guy.
.”
When you were signed, you were told ‘we don’t want you to be just a defender, we want you to be the boss at the back’, are you already like that?
“I don’t like the word, do we need a boss at the back? We all play together and no one player is boss.
The team has a captain, but even with the captain, we cannot do it alone. We are a team and work together to bring out the best in everyone.
At a club like Bayern, everyone has to take responsibility.
For me, I feel good, I’m healthy, and I get a lot of encouragement at work.
”
What have you changed since the World Cup?
“On the one hand, the World Cup disappointed me. I only played the first game, then I was on the bench and didn’t get much game time. On the other hand, it woke me up and I had to make a change. For me
For someone like that, not being able to start the World Cup is unacceptable. So I analyzed what I could do better, and in order to start training again in the last week of vacation, I recovered for 2 weeks. Since then
, I pay more attention to my diet than before, I adjust my diet and adapt to training now.”
lederhosen about oktoberfest
“I think that’s a good tradition, my problem is that I have thick thighs, so it’s very tight.”
Tighter than Thomas Muller?
(Laughs) “His thighs plus one are as thick as one of my thighs.”
So you must have a special one?
“Yes, but it’s still too tight. Luckily, Oktoberfest only comes once a year.”