AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has admitted that the team lacked intensity in the first half against Club Brugge, but rectified it with a better display from there.
In truth Reijnders rather bailed Milan out with a quick-fire brace in the second half of the game, slotting home cut-backs from the two substitutes Noah Okafor and Samuel Chukwueze who had both done well to get to the byline on their respective flanks.
Prior to that the Rossoneri had led through Christian Pulisic’s Olimpico goal from a corner, but Brugge equalised despite the fact that Raphael Onyedika had seen a straight red card in the first half for going with studs into Reijnders ankle.
Reijnders spoke to Sky straight after the full-time whistle to give his thoughts on what was at times an evening that looked like slipping into a perilous situation but ended up being very positive for him personally, with MilanNews relaying his comments.
How do you feel?
“I’m dreaming. I was waiting for these first goals in the Champions League, I was waiting for one and two arrived, even better. In the first half we weren’t up to par, we played a bit too slow, then when they went down to ten men we found more space. But we really woke up after their equaliser.”
What was missing from Milan?
“In the first half we lacked intensity, the new arrivals brought the energy we were missing, with two very important assists.”
What happened for you to concede a man up?
“It’s difficult to say, we’ll definitely have to watch and analyse the match. It’s not possible to concede a goal while playing with a numerical advantage, it can’t happen again.”
What is your favoured position?
“For me it’s a bit the same, today I played a bit more forward and above all I looked for more space in front of goal. In general I like to play a bit deeper so I’m more involved in the game.”
How do you see Leao?
“There are many leaders in this group. We need everyone and everyone must be a leader in their own way. Everyone must give their contribution and tonight the guys who came on during the game made a difference.”
Leão needs a wake up call. He changed his game I agree but he is easily frustrated and takes him out of the game
Uhoh. Reijnders’ answer about Leão actually suggest that he was a bit upset at Rafa. I wouldn’t exclude it because Rafa went directly to the locker room after the final whistle without celebrating with his companions, and the players can’t have appreciated that. Reijnders chose to highlight how the guy who subbed Rafa did well and made the team improve. Reijnders could have said something like “Rafa was fine; he created some opportunities; at 60 minutes maybe he was losing steam a bit and so it’s good to bring in some fresh legs, and then Okafor and Chuk also helped us. I think all our wingers helped tonight, and it’s normal to substitute players for some fresh legs in the last third of the game.” Instead, Reijnders’ answer suggests that he doesn’t think that Rafa contributed while Okafor did.
I actually think that if this is the case, Reijnders is wrong. I think that Rafa did contribute. He had two crosses in the first half and one in the beginning of the second half that could have resulted in scores, if his companions had converted it. But the fact that Reijnders chose a different path in his answer, makes me fear that there is a bit of locker room unhappiness with the way Rafa is behaving, and that’s not good. The fault is Rafa’s though. I usually defend Rafa but I can’t defend him when he storms out to the locker room without celebrating with his companions. He doesn’t help himself when he does that.