Tijjani Reijnders spoke to the media after AC Milan’s 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday evening. He stated that it was a shame that they couldn’t convert their chances, including one he had in the second half.
The Dutchman played in the more advanced midfield role tonight as Alvaro Morata started on the bench. As always, his movement was important for Milan but he wasted a few good opportunities, including one when he was through on goal (resulting in a lower player rating tonight).
Speaking to MilanTV after the game, as cited by MilanNews, Reijnders admitted that Milan should have converted at least one of their chances. However, he made it clear that there are positives to take from the performance still.
On the game…
“In the first half, we didn’t play our game. We gave them too much space and opportunities to be dangerous. In the second half, we played our game, we had our chances, as well as mine, but we couldn’t convert them.”
On the team’s reaction after Bayer’s goal…
“After their goal, we found the spaces, what we wanted, also creating our own chances. The only thing is that we didn’t score, and it’s a shame.”
On the upcoming match against Fiorentina…
“I think we have to continue the way we finished this match, playing good football. Obviously, we have to score, but we must continue to have faith in the team and the way we play. Only then will everything go well. Obviously, we are Milan and we want to win every match, and that’s what we want to do against Fiorentina.”
Milan will take on Fiorentina next, scheduled for Sunday evening, and the goal is obviously to make it four consecutive wins in the league. It’s just a shame, like Tijjani said, that they weren’t able to reverse the trend in the UCL.
This dude cannot finish to save his life. Unreal.
I think he actually has some sort of psychological issue when he has a scoring opportunity. He has missed many, many sitters over the last two seasons. Its clear that its in his head. His technical ability is basically elite.
Milan does not have prolific scorers,I think it is an issue down to less quality by the players, wasted chances were too much for a team like Milan
They could not qualify from group stage last year because of this issue, notably against Newcastle at sansiro, away to Dortmund as well..I remain optimistic moving forward this season
Forza Milan
Since you joined the club, nothing productive came from your side so far. You look more like Krunic every game, pass to the nearest player or back to the CB’s or GK nad run up and down the pitch, no cunstructive game from your side.
He’s the anti-Krunic.
To quote Pioli (the Scudetto winning coach and not some randomer on the internet):
“I don’t care if [Krunic is] not praised enough, I know he’s important. There are things that cannot be explained through numbers and images. He makes those who play near him play well. He is smart and occupies spaces properly, with and without the ball.”
Reijnders is the exact opposite. He makes players around him play worse. He doesn’t provide any cover for the defence, he loses the ball in dangerous positions, he slows down attacks, and he over or under hits passes.
Players around him have to run more and have less space.
Krunic was one of the most underrated players to have played for the club. And that says a lot given how many Milan players have been underrated over the years.