Matthijs de Ligt, the Bayern Munich defender, will once again be starting on the bench for the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash against Romania. This match, taking place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, marks another instance where De Ligt has been overlooked by Dutch manager Ronald Koeman.
Throughout the tournament, Koeman has opted for a starting center-back pairing of Virgil Van Dijk and Stefan de Vrij, leaving De Ligt on the sidelines. The 24-year-old’s lack of playing time has been a cause for concern, leading him to seek guidance from a psychologist.
De Ligt’s struggles with playing time for the Netherlands aren’t a new development. He was also benched during the 2022 World Cup after starting the opening match. He has made 45 appearances for his country, scoring two goals.
De Ligt’s club season with Bayern Munich was also far from ideal, as the Bavarian giants failed to win the Bundesliga for the first time in 11 years and finished third. This disappointment, coupled with his struggles with the Netherlands, has fueled speculation that he could be on the move to Premier League side Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
The Dutch defender’s future remains uncertain, but it’s clear that he’s facing a period of significant change and uncertainty.
