Matthjis De Ligt explained his reasons for leaving Juventus in favour of joining Bayern Munich: ‘At Bayern there is always the possibility of winning the Champions League’. The Dutchman left Turin two summers ago and in a lengthy interview with Voetbalzone, he talked about why he chose to make the switch:
“I was at Juventus and felt quite good there. Bayern were eliminated from the Champions League against Villareal, then they contacted my agent. They said: ‘we need another defender’. So my agent asked me: ‘Bayern Munich is looking for another defender, would you like that?’ Then I said very quickly: ‘if it’s a possibility, I would love to go there’. So everything was set in motion, around May/June. Around mid-July it was done.”
“The club has a very big role in this. I think Bayern Munich, outside of the Harry Kane transfer, which was not so secret, usually conducts transfers quite discreetly and quietly. You often then suddenly realise who is going to Bayern Munich. With me it was actually the same. Then suddenly you saw that Bayern Munich was looking for De Ligt.
“Personally, I didn’t feel the need to tell the media where I was going. So it was a surprise for most people, but not for me and the people around me.”
“Above all, I wanted to go to Bayern, because I felt good at Juve and I was much loved there. The fans thought I was a very good player and they saw that I always worked hard and played well. So I had a good time there, but if a team like Bayern Munich wants you, with a good chance of winning the Champions League every year, I didn’t have to think much about it.”
“I had a good year. I arrived a bit behind because I was used to very different football. After the first three games I played practically all the time, so it was really good. I managed to be important for the team. Becoming champions in the last minute is a great way to end the year. I have very good memories of my first season.”
