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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>At the Terrain de sport Edouard-Pailleron, tucked neatly away in Paris' 19th arrondissement, Sacha Boey returned home on a mission. Having just been signed as Under Armour's newest athlete, he made the journey back to the French capital to help lead a defensive masterclass.This was an initiative that tied Boey and Under Armour together. On the streets of Paris did Boey learn the art of defending, and the American sportswear giant are making a splash in football with a select choice of stars.Now featuring more regularly for Bayern Munich, he could soon become a staple in Didier Deschamps' regimented Les Bleus setup too, with the 24-year-old surely on the verge of winning his first senior cap.GOAL went down to Boey's showcase to discover what all the fuss was about.<table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n">Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Inside Under Armour's bid to make defending cool again: Bayern Munich's Sacha Boey heads home to Paris as American sportswear giant takes a leap into football

Bundesliga

Mainz 05

Bayern Munich

Boey is the latest name to sign up to Under Armour, whose recruitment drive has almost entirely focused on defenders. The star attraction is Real Madrid centre-back and two-time Champions League winner Antonio Rudiger, whose face is plastered across nearly every piece of football-related marketing for them.Beyond the German giant, Tottenham Hotspur's Pedro Porro, now a regular for Euro 2024 champions Spain, and Newcastle United's new England international Lewis Hall are the names on Under Armour's books most recognisable to Premier League fans. AC Milan's Malick Thiaw, who was heavily linked with joining Hall up on Tyneside, is too endorsed.Under Armour have also taken a step into the women's game, already signing off deals with Arsenal's Emily Fox and Aston Villa's Anna Patten. They are here to stay in football.

Under Armour's pledge

Wherever there is Under Armour, there is their mantra - 'protect this house'. It reverberates across all of their campaigns, all of their shoots. Largely an American colloquialism to refer to defending home field or court, it has now busted through the doors of football.It also lends itself nicely to Under Armour's focus on defence, building a siege mentality from back to front rather than the other way around like so many of their competitors in this space.Defenders don't normally get the same adulation or adoration as attackers. Under Armour seemingly want to change that culture.

'Protect this house'

Boey's own decision to sign for Under Armour was one made in heaven given his own playing style - an aggressive, front-foot defender who can get stuck in. These were the qualities that convinced Bayern it was worth their time to spend €30 million (£25m/$32m) to pry him away from Galatasaray back in January."Joining Under Armour means joining a brand that's serious about making athletes better," Boey said. "It's great to be back in Paris, working with young defenders and representing a brand that values hard work. Under Armour is making big moves in football and it's exciting to be part of that."Winter in Paris is particularly unforgiving at the best of times. You need about three layers just to stave off the shivers. It was therefore an opportune time for Boey to help promote Under Armour's new ColdGear, which was adorned by every player at his masterclass across a four-hour period to help keep them at the optimal temperature.Boey added: "I used to struggle playing in the cold growing up. I found it unbearable and it definitely affected my performance. Having the right kit changes everything. Under Armour’s ColdGear makes a massive difference, keeping me focused on the game and distraction free."

Core values

Boey, only recently back to fitness from tearing his meniscus at the start of the season, watched on from the sidelines as young players from the Parisian suburbs were put through their paces by three local coaches, teaching defensive techniques such as body positioning, tackling, and aerial duels. These were put to the test in a range of three-v-three and three-v-two drills.GOAL too were given the chance to join in. And, well, let's just say there's a reason why some people make it as footballers and some are forced into reporting on them in the media instead. This was a humbling experience. You don't know how ungifted and untalented you are at football until you face off against those who are the complete opposite.Life is easier as an attacker. At worst, just cut inside and pass back. Ignore the instructions being shouted at you in a foreign language. Just keep possession. No risk. If you take risk, you will be bamboozled.That approach doesn't quite work the same when defending. A fellow media member, standing at about 6'4", was rainbow-flicked on his first try. It's a cruel world out there, people.Later in the evening, Boey got a close-up view and brought extra encouragement as these French youngsters had the chance to show off their defensive nous against attackers from Under Armour's UA Next Academy in London.

Defensive drills

Boey bonded with the players from the mid-afternoon upon arrival to the evening when only the floodlights and dim glow from the surrounding apartments lit the pitch. After all, he was who they were trying to impress - the professional footballer who plays for one of the best teams in the world.When it came to the one-v-one drills towards the end of the event, the defenders did not shrink as to merely avoid embarrassment, rather grew in stature after a hard day of honing the art of winning the ball cleanly.For a right-back like Boey who himself can be strong in the challenge, this was of purest entertainment. The smile didn't drop from his face when his eyes were fixated on the games.

Star name in a star city

Now nearly 12 months into his spell at Bayern, Boey has seldom been afforded the opportunity to show his worth in Bavaria. A muscle injury curtailed his 2023-24 campaign before damage sustained to his meniscus interrupted a bright start to this season.At last, Boey is on the mend and has some minutes under his belt in recent outings, coming off the bench in mammoth clashes with Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.Head coach Vincent Kompany, a dogged defender in his own heyday, could do with the Frenchman keeping fit to boost the team's chances of silverware this season. They sit top of the Bundesliga and are among the favourites for the Champions League and Club World Cup.If all goes well, Boey could be on the plane to the 2026 World Cup with France too. Things are looking up again for one of Paris' starlet sons.

Boey's Bayern break

Inside Under Armour's bid to make defending cool again: Bayern Munich's Sacha Boey heads home to Paris as American sportswear giant takes a leap into football | Goal.com Kenya

Bayern Munich right-back Sacha Boey marked his new partnership with Under Armour by hosting a defensive masterclass in his home city of Paris.

Inside Under Armour&apos;s bid to make defending cool again: Bayern Munich&apos;s Sacha Boey heads home to Paris as American sportswear giant takes a leap into football