Tijjani Reijnders took up a leadership-esque role with the Netherlands during the European Championship, and he thrived in the role. Following their elimination from the tournament, the midfielder faced the press, which only further shows how important he is to the Oranje and shows how he can be for AC Milan.
For a player who only played his first season in a top European league last season, the Dutchman has never shown to be a player who has struggled at the elite level, and the Euros were another example of this.
Ronald Koeman has previously stated the importance of the midfielder to his team, and he is expected to be a ‘pillar’ in Paulo Fonseca’s side in the upcoming season, with the Portuguese coach seeing him as the gem of a physical midfield.
Reijnders spoke to De Telegraph following the Netherlands’ elimination from the European Championship, and his words have been relayed by Milan News.
“If you think about the fact that we went to the semifinals again after 20 years, it is a positive result without a doubt, but when you play a tournament you play to win it. Obviously, we are proud of each other and proud of the fans who were everywhere. It’s a shame, though, that we lost.
“In the first half they always found a free man. The English did well and were very on the move. We couldn’t understand them. Then the coach changed the arrangement on the pitch and fortunately, we were able to control them. And so we were able to play our game more.
“We started to play with four men in midfield with Joey Veerman joining us. So they were no longer able to find the free man and this was particularly visible in the second half.”
More than half of current Netherlands players wouldn’t even be on the bench 20 years ago. It’s sad to see how this nation who used to be so filled with talented players, becoming a pretty average team.
When a country lacks at least 3 core players performing at a high level for the same club, it’s hard to win. Belgium, Netherlands, and Italy are the countries struggling with this.
Not a lot of quality on this team.
Not just the Netherlands, Other countries such as Brazil and Italy also experience the same thing.
Stop gassing him.
Referee was clearly a Milan fan wanting Reijnders to get back to pre-season training…
Overrated player. I dont see anything special about his game. At least krunic was better defensively and the team had more balance
This Dutch team was very limited up front and Koeman did nothing to compensate for it. Starting striker was always Depay, then eventually WegWorst would come in and do more of nothing.
Outside of Xavi Simmons and Gakpo on the wing, there were no penetrating runs or movements off the ball to create space and lanes to pass into…
Kept watching Reijnders go side to side with the ball because outside of a single Dutch attacker surrounded by 5 defenders in the box everyone else was lining up laterally. There was nowhere to pass the ball forward.
I have no idea what Koeman was trying to accomplish but even against this limp Dutch team the English struggled. Bar a nonexistent PK, England couldn’t even beat this team.
Well done to the Netherlands for going as far as they did with this young team.
For me, the Netherlands 20 years ago always had the best squad but never a team so this group have done remarkably well.
Ronald Koeman is the right man to take the “Oranje” further.
I disagree. Ronnie is very limited as a coach. I would love someone young and progressive take over.