The Dutch defender, who moved from Ajax in a £67.8million deal, was forced to watch on as Maurizio Sarri’s men claimed a 1-0 victory.
Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini were picked to start the game in central defence and it was Chiellini who netted the winner.
De Ligt told Dutch publication AD: “Naturally, I would’ve preferred to play and I didn’t get any clues from training, so I didn’t expect to be on the bench.
“Obviously, I respect the decision of the Coach. I must be realistic, as I am still settling in here in Italy.
“The defenders who played, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, were considered for a long time to be the best centre-back partnership in the world.
“I have to earn my place throughout the season. The first five weeks have been tough on a physical level, but I do notice that I’m getting stronger.
“Defensively, the demands are not that different to what I was accustomed to at Ajax, as the Coach wants us to anticipate the movement.”
