Matthijs de Ligt may play more often as a controller at Bayern Munich in the near future, coach Thomas Tuchel said during the preparatory press conference of der Rekordmeister on the match against Bayer Leverkusen. De Ligt played briefly as a substitute during the final phase of the match against Borussia Mönchengladbach (1-2 win) as ‘number 6’ and may play in that role more often in the future, as his performance can please Tuchel. “Matthijs did well.” De Ligt regularly played as a controller in the youth of Ajax.
De Ligt has had a rather difficult start to the season at Bayern. So far, the man has only played 76 minutes of play, spread over 4 official matches. This all has to do with the fierce competition at the center back. For De Ligt’s favorite position, Min-Jae Kim and Dayot Upamecano are currently in a better position with Tuchel, which means that the 42-time international of the Dutch team has been on the bench more often than he would like. A new role may offer a way out. Tuchel recently used De Ligt as a controller for a short time and speaks of a successful experiment.
During Bayern’s press moment, Tuchel’s move against Gladbach was discussed. “We needed Matthijs ‘at 6’ because Konrad (Laimer, ed.) played in the right back position. He did well.” Tuchel does not rule out that he will use De Ligt more often in this apparently unusual position. “We need everyone, maybe even in unusual places.” Yet De Ligt himself has a clear wish, the German concludes. “Matthijs is fighting with Upamecano and Kim for a place in his favorite position.”
Bayern may miss two important forces against Leverkusen on Friday. “Jamal (Musiala, ed.) has mild back pain, but has trained well and pain-free over the past two days. If it stays that way, he will be in the selection tomorrow and then we will see how long he can play. Joshua (Kimmich, ed.) is doubtful, he came back injured from the national team.” If Kimmich is not available, a place could become available for De Ligt. The right foot regularly played as a controller in Ajax B1 (nowadays Under 17) and A1 (nowadays Under 19). After his breakthrough into the main squad, De Ligt was used solely as a defender at both Ajax and Juventus.