With several of his AC Milan players away on international duty, Paulo Fonseca can not be given messages from his squad in person. However, their performances away from Milanello can be telling, and the Portuguese coach has some things to take note of.
It will not be known until after the Inter game whether the international break came at a good time, and perhaps, you could argue that we will know before then.
As Gazzetta dello Sport writes, Fonseca has been given test results from experiments he has not tried competitively, and there are notes on certain subjects. Notes which he must examine, and perhaps put into practice at Milan.
Tijjani Reijnders started as a Trequartista for the Netherlands, and Gazzetta states that Fonseca may have to release him from his shackles and move him there for the Rossoneri. Youssouf Fofana can now protect him, so allowing him to advance will only benefit the squad. The midfielder scored, and ‘sees the goal more’. Additionally, with him struggling at times defensively, a move could be the best thing for all parties.
In the good books with the French National team is Mike Maignan. Following their 3-1 defeat to Italy, the goalkeeper ‘attacked’ his teammates in the locker room for their ‘limited’ commitment. Within two years of becoming a starter for Les Bleus, he has become a leader, and, logically, he will soon become one of the captains back home.
France’s game also showed that Youssouf Fofana needs some extra time before he is a consistent starter. With three pivotal games approaching, his minutes will have to be watched closely. There are several risks attached to overworking players, which cannot happen in Fofana’s case.
Last week, the talk of the town was Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez. This week, it is the same. However, for a different reason, a positive one. It seems that both will return to Milanello with the view of starting the game against Venezia. A perfect chance to start – or restart – their seasons.
Reijnders was given more chances than any other player last season, playing in nearly every game, and he did nothing of note.
In fact he was central to our midfield collapse.
However, he was rarely played in AM.
I’d be ok with giving him a chance to prove himself there but he’d have to dislodge RLC, who actually delivered last season (but who for some unknown reason is written off by fans).
The target, set by RLC, is 10 goals. Let’s see if he can hit that.
What a load of rubbish. Reinjders was our best and most consistent midfielder last year even better than RLC. Smh
You are absolutely right. Some people do not know how to analyze games. By pointing an accusing figure at Tijani was a derespect to him, upon all the good work in put in last season.
It was absurd to blame him for what he never did. He was Milan’s best midfielder last season.
“The target, set by RLC, is 10 goals. Let’s see if he can hit that.”
Being an attacking midfield is not only about goals, I’d say it’s not even primarly abouts goals.
Otherwise we can make claims about RLC being as good as De Bruyne, since the later scored only 6 goals.
“playing in nearly every game, and he did nothing of note”
Tell me you don’t understand what you’re watching, without telling me you don’t understand what you’re watching…
– Excuse me, Mr. Koeman, could you explain the reasons for your selection and start of Reijnders in your team?
– Of course. Reijnders is a vital part of our build up and attack because at Milan “he was given more chances than any other player last season, playing in nearly every game, and he did nothing of note”
FFS…
Reijnders did well against Bosnia, 75th in the FIFA rankings. He still has to prove himself with Milan. Hopefully he has improved his shooting skills because a trequartista with poor accuracy is almost useless and he can’t stay in front of the defense because he lacks defensive skills.
Because he isn’t a defensive midfielder. You wouldn’t ask Kaka to play defense. i’m not comparing him to Kaka obviously but it’s the principle.
He is an attacking midfielder. Pioli refused to play him in the position which best suited him because our midfield last season wasn’t anything to write home about. We had no one to play the defensive role so baldie would throw anyone on there.
Replicate what Koeman does with his team and watch Reijnders succeed. He combined well in the build up and attack and dropped deep in front of the defense when he had to.
“He is an attacking midfielder. ”
He is a mezzala.
Prior to playing with us, he has been used as an attacking midfielder only a handful on times. But outside of that he’s been only used as an 8 or even in a double pivot.
Yesterday’s game was one of the first where he started as a number 10. It might be a revelation, a discovery that this is actually his best position and just a lucky game against a sitting duck that is named Bosnia.
He is still the only one who has the confidence to shop in our team so far, the other ones are too chicken to
Venezia defence is strong, but their midfield and attack are real flaw. Without underestimate them, i see this is the best chance to set new tactical approach before Liverpool and Inter
Apparently, after a poor first game when he was subbed out at halftime, Rafa was excellent in France’s second game, being one of the best on the field and collecting an assist.