In the middle of last summer, Matthijs De Ligt was one of the most desired pieces on the market. The Dutchman was the young captain of an Ajax that had come to shine in the Champions League reaching the semifinals.
The Dutchman was between Juventus and Barcelona and finally, he ended up in Turin in exchange for 85.5 million that went directly to the coffers of the Amsterdam teams. Its beginnings in Italy were complicated but Michel Santoni, second in Ado Den Haag and former Ajax video analyst, endorses the decision to choose the Turinese against Barcelona to progress.
“Now he is a starter but it has been a strange start. He did not play, but public opinion ended up conditioned by a few hands. Especially in the Netherlands. We often forget that he is only 20 years old. He couldn't be expected to be decisive since he arrived but he's dominated everything in six months … Chapeau. It is taking the place of players like Bonucci or Chiellini “, ensures the coach.
Santoni explained his decision and believes that the relationship between Juventus and De Ligt is more beneficial for both of them than he would have had at Barcelona. “In the Netherlands, Barça are still seen as if they were Valhalla but Juventus is better for their development. At Barcelona I would have had to defend the man again and I would not have improved. He would have done better for Barça but he would not have advanced. Now, he's learning another totally new way to defend and has become a total defense, “he explains.
In a hypothetical Champions League final, the coach of The Hague is clear, De Ligt in defense and then whoever wins the position next to him. “He would have to get De Ligt in and the others fight to play with him. If Sarri takes him away, Italy would go after him. In the Italian media, now only praise is read. Since the return, De Ligt has come back very strong. We already knew it was good. I just needed some training. “, sentence.
To reach that final of the Champions League, De Ligt and Juventus will have to come back against Olympique de Lyon in Turin and today, at 12:00, they will meet their rival as long as they eliminate the French. Will De Ligt also be key in this edition of the Champions League?