Matthijs de Ligt ‘did not expect’ to be starting for Netherlands at World Cup

Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt has said he is “okay” with not starting for the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup because he “expected to play nothing” under Louis van Gaal in Qatar.

De Ligt, 23, started the Netherlands first match at the tournament — a 2-0 victory over Senegal — but has started the subsequent three matches from the bench.

He was introduced in the 94th minute of the Netherlands’ 3-1 victory over the United States on Saturday but said after that match that he was not disappointed to be a substitute because he expected to be second-choice for Van Gaal.

“It’s not so frustrating, honestly,” he told The Athletic when asked whether he was disappointed not to be starting matches for his nation. “Every player wants to play but we are a group of 26 players.

“Honestly, I have played more than I expected to play at this World Cup. I expected to play nothing. I’m quite okay. We won together and we are in a quarter-final.”

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When asked if he had any kind of fitness problems that were preventing him from completing 90 minutes, he said: “No, it’s just the way of playing. Maybe the coach doesn’t put me in the team and I am okay with that. I expected it.

“So for me it’s fine. I know my role and I train hard every day to be important for the team.”

De Light commented last week that he was “surprised” to have started the game against Senegal.

De Ligt moved to Bayern Munich from Juventus in the summer and has already established himself as an important player for the Bundesliga team, starting 18 matches in all competitions.

“It’s amazing, I’m having a really nice time there,” he added. “I feel already at home.”

Chelsea were also in talks with Juventus to sign De Ligt in the summer. But the defender said he was not involved in talks.

“I didn’t speak to them,” De Light said. “I’m just really happy Bayern went through.”

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(Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)