Tijjani Reijnders will be one of the key players for AC Milan against Napoli tomorrow, as highlighted by a report, looking to make up for lost time after missing the reverse fixture.
As highlighted by today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport this morning (see photo below), Reijnders has become a complete midfielder for Milan. Part midfielder and part attacking midfielder. Part passer and part attacker. Part distributor and part runner.
He has played as a mezz’ala, in a midfield tandem and as a No.10 behind the striker. He knows how to lead in difficult moments, breaking down the opponents with ball progressions, while also moving into the box without the ball. And the numbers speak for themselves…
Lost time against Napoli
In the reverse fixture against Napoli, which was played at San Siro, Reijnders wans’t present because of the red card against Udinese. He was meant to serve the suspension against Bologna but as we all know, that game was postponed.
There is no doubt that Paulo Fonseca missed him a lot that evening in late October. The Dutchman wasn’t scoring goals at the current pace, but he was lighting up Milan’s attack with great plays and movements.
So for Antonio Conte’s Napoli, who immediately took the lead through Romelu Lukaku, it was easier to contain the Rossoneri’s attacks, also without Theo Hernandez, Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao in the starting lineup. The many absences and a pinch of bad luck condemned the Rossoneri to defeat.
Now, Reijnders is keen to lead Milan towards what would be an important win in the Champions League race.
Conceicao has a clear plan
Unlike Fonseca, Sergio Conceicao will show up at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with all his stars and an obligation to get points to keep the Champions League dream alive. Tijji will be one of the weapons to complicate Conte’s plans.
When in possession, as Napoli could allow Milan to have some initiative, Reijnders will be crucial in distributing the ball and finding the passes in behind the Partenopei defence. Pressure must also be put on Stanislav Lobotka in the defence phase.
In short, the Dutchman will have a lot of tasks but it’s nothing new for him, in fact he prefers it that way. Let’s just hope his good form continues tomorrow, leading Milan to a huge win.
When he play remembering de jong, sneijder and even like cruijff .
What you need to see is that Tijji is not a defensive midfielder. He is a real number 10, let him play there. And we still need to get defensive midfielders. We need at least 2 more.
4-3-1-2
(leao/Puli) – (Santi/Abraham)
Reijnders
Fofana RLC Bondo
Theo Thiaw Pavlo Walker
Or something close to that. Turns to 442 off the ball. If we’re chasing the game then in the second half take one of the mid’s out and bring in whoever isn’t used up top.
This way you have more control of the midfield and it doesn’t become a revolving door for opponents’ attacks.
I wish to see Milan line up with this formation and maybe see a solid midfield that can create and also produce goals.
I would start with Leao & Pulisic for tough away games such as tomorrow’s match and bring in a centre forward later in the game if necessary.