Tijjani Reijnders spoke to the press ahead of AC Milan’s clash against Club Brugge, and he discussed his position within Paulo Fonseca’s set-up before touching on his own personal ambitions.
Since arriving last summer, Reijnders has struggled to find continuity in his position but has often been a go-to for Stefano Pioli, and now Fonseca. For the Italian, he played across the midfield, and whilst the Portuguese head coach has not been as erratic in his system selection, the Dutchman has not had a consistent role.
Currently, he is sitting next to Youssouf Fofana and given the freedom of a box-to-box player, but he has also been offered the freedom of the Trequartista position occasionally. It seems that the Portuguese head coach’s preference is the former role, though.
Reijnders, alongside Fonseca, spoke to the press at Milanello about his position in the team, and his words have been relayed by Milan News.
What can Champions League matches give you in your growth path?
“It’s important for me to be decisive. We midfielders are the engine of the team. Against Udinese we did well, tomorrow it will be important to play the same way.”
Are the referees different in Europe?
“I don’t know, we’ll see tomorrow. The important thing is not to do certain things anymore, I have to be more careful and avoid repeating something like that.”
What is your favourite role? Do you talk about it with the coach?
“I am a box-to-box player. I have played in all the roles in the middle of the field. I’m a number eight, but that doesn’t mean I can’t play in other positions. It’s up to the coach to tell me where he needs me to play.”
What are your goals?
“I think I want to become more decisive with assists and goals. I want to win cups and titles every season, like every player.”
Who do you take inspiration from? Can Neeskens of the great Netherlands be a model?
“I never saw Neeskens play. Football was different back then. I always try to show my qualities.”
