As of: March 6, 2024, 2:02 p.m
By: Vinzent Tschirpke, Manuel Bonke, Philipp Kessler
Comments
Press
Split
Full effort: Bayern's Matthijs de Ligt (4th from left) in a header duel with Lazio's Alessio Romagnoli (2nd from right).
© MIS / Imago
Bayern easily beat Lazio Rome and the Munich defense also impressed with a strong performance.
Above all, the central defender duo Matthijs de Ligt and Eric Dier.
Munich - Matthijs de Ligt had a good laugh.
After his strong performance against Lazio (
tz
grade 1), he was asked about the brilliant volley with which he set up Thomas Müller to make it 2-0.
“Sometimes I can do things like a striker,” said the Bayern central defender with a smile.
“Shoot from a distance and volley the ball – that’s what we learn in the Netherlands.”
Goalscorer Müller also joked about the goal: "I don't know whether those are still human traits when Matta pulls through with his thick thighs."
Bayern's good mood wasn't just due to progress in the Champions League, it also had to do with his defensive partner.
Munich's Eric Dier in action.
© Tom Weller/dpa/archive image
De Ligt was allowed to play in an important game for the first time under Tuchel; together with Eric Dier, the duo defended almost every Italian attack.
Apart from a header chance by Ciro Immobile, they didn't allow any opportunities - and thus laid the foundation for the quarter-finals.
“It's going well, we talk a lot together.
We won the last four games we played,” said de Ligt, explaining the strong teamwork with his defensive partner.
“I think we showed a solid performance.” Right-back Joshua Kimmich joked: “The two half-siblings get along well.”
Dier from a supplementary player to a top performer
The national player was referring to the similar appearance of the central defenders, who could well be related given their stature and similar hairstyle.
Above all, both of them were similar in their style of play in the second leg of the round of 16: their resolute duels kept things tight at the back, and they set the tone forward with clever passes in the build-up of the game.
My news
Possible Bayern opponents in the Champions League quarter-finals: a hammer draw is now almost certain
International press reviews on the win against Lazio Rome: Read “Bayern’s devastating answer”.
Individual criticism: Three Bayern stars secure top marks against Lazio
Tuchel is injured during the Bayern speech: “It cost me my big toe” read
2 hours ago
Tuchel's decision causes a rethink: Bayern-Juwel extends long-term reading
Müller raves about Bavaria's new “machine”: Does Nagelsmann now have a Pavlovic problem? read
Dier has developed from a supplementary player to a top performer.
“I've settled in really well: the club, the city, the fans have all welcomed me so much that it's been easy for me to settle in,” said the winter newcomer, whose contract was recently extended by one year until 2025.
“And I just enjoy my football, I really enjoy playing for this club.”
Vinzent Tschirpke, Manuel Bonke, Philipp Kessler