AC Milan managed to get another valuable European win last night as they beat Slovan Bratislava 3-2, but Tijjani Reijnders admitted there is plenty of work to do.
Milan continued in their winning ways in the Champions League as they came away with three points after three goals in the Slovakian capital, but it was not the straightforward game that many hoped against the bottom-placed side.
Christian Pulisic opened the scoring in the first half after a nice assist from Tammy Abraham, but the Rossoneri were pegged back before the break. Rafael Leao scored off the bench and Abraham got one for himself to make it 1-3, so it looked like job done.
Slovan were somehow allowed to make it a nervy finish thanks to a late rocket strike, though Milan did hold on after the home side were reduced to ten men after a pair of bookings within seconds.
Reijnders spoke to SportMediaset after the full-time whistle to try and pick apart what was a positive result but paradoxically another worrying performance, with MilanNews transcribing his comments.
How do you think the game went?
“This match was very important to win. We started very well and then we conceded a goal that cannot be conceded. In the end in the second half we scored two great goals and we can go home with the three points.”
Is there something worrying about Milan’s defensive phase?
“For us it can’t happen that we are so vulnerable on the counter-attack: we knew they would defend very low but we had to be more prepared. We certainly have to do better and work a lot on this aspect.”
Was it an important goal for Leao?
“The goal for Rafa is very important, you can see that he always wants to work for the team. For us he is a weapon and he is a great player.”