The importance of Tijjani Reijnders to AC Milan can be seen in the fact that he is an undroppable part of the starting line-up, and last night showed that he can add goals to his game.
As MilanNews write, since Reijnders’ arrival at Milan, he has played 61 out of the 63 games available in Serie A, the Champions League, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia. Both Stefano Pioli and now Paulo Fonseca consider him to be at the centre of their plans.
Against Club Brugge the Dutchman scored his first brace with Milan, his first goals in the Champions League. For the type of midfielder he is, gifted with great progression with the ball at his feet as well as fine and calculated timing in his insertions, last year he was accused of a bit of a lack of composure in front of goal.
As proof of this, we can underline that the two goals against Club Brugge already represent half of the tally achieved last season, which was goals. It should also be noted that last year in situations very similar to those of yesterday’s two goals, Reijnders wasted opportunities either due to a lack of conviction or precision.
Beyond the improvement in finishing – which could be a significant plus for Milan – Reijnders’ general performance is growing game after game. This is also due to how he is being used by Fonseca, probably inspired by his position with the Dutch national team.
Yesterday, for example, the 26-year-old played as a mezzala (a box-to-box player) with Youssouf Fofana deeper and Ruben Loftus-Cheek on the other side. This would be his natural role, and it is perhaps for the first time since he has been with the Rossoneri that he has been used there.
This role allows him to play between the opposition lines, finding spaces with less stringent and binding defensive duties, which also tire him out less than when he is deployed in a two-man midfield with Fofana.