“Difficult moments, talking about them with someone can help.”

Speaking at a press conference before the match against Austria, Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, frustrated by being left on the bench for the first two matches in the European Championship, revealed that he had turned to a psychiatrist to overcome the moment of disappointment. : “Some moments can be difficult. Talking about it with someone can help – said the former Juventus defender -, so maybe you feel ‘lighter’ and can return your energy to the pitch, instead of wasting time with some negative thoughts. I continue to train.” To improve myself, is there a way to find space with the five substitutions? Yes, you can be happy even if you reserve and enter – but let’s say you feel less certain feelings if your participation is marginal, and even victory does not have the same flavor.

This is not the first time De Ligt has found himself in this situation: even during the World Cup in Qatar, after his first match as a starter, he was left out by coach Louis van Gaal. “However, I felt I was in good shape and in fact I proved that at Bayern – the defender added – but during my football career I learned – he added – that the beginning of the season or a big tournament always looks nice, but what matters is the end, and seeing how far you have come. “To him, that’s why I’m relatively calm now: I have a feeling that something will happen during this tournament that will allow me to prove that I am still an important player.”