‘From Milan to Holland’ – why Reijnders will remain crucial under the new coach

Tijjani Reijnders can look back on his first season at AC Milan in a very positive way, given that he has established himself as a pillar for his club and his country.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes this morning, the best compliment was one that Reijnders gave himself in a recent interview: “At Milan I have become a total midfielder, I can play anywhere.”

However, even the opinions of those who work with him tell a story. Stefano Pioli said: “Tijji is so intelligent, so technical that the more he moves on the pitch the better: this is why I often start him from the bottom.”

Rafael Leao added: “Reijnders shoots well, is strong in passing and is good on dead balls.” His national team coach Ronald Koeman stated:: “He has become a great player in a very short time, he cannot be left out.”

It is no surprise that the latter included Reijnders in the preliminary squad list for the European Championship. Tijjani will go there and off the back of a strong season, with 56 games played for club and country, of which 47 were as a starter.

First, however, he needs to end on a high note with Milan and send a message to the next Rossoneri head coach: whoever you are, know that Reijnders will be the pillar on which to build the midfield to come.

Journey in the middle

Reijnders arrived at Milan with a CV showing that he is better on the left side and used as a box-to-box midfielder. With the Rossoneri he has shown that he knows how to do other things too: blocking passing lanes, scoring and covering the area between both boxes.

He has moved from one part of ​​the midfield to another depending on the tactical needs, with results almost always worthy of applause. Pioli started with Krunic in front of the defence and is closing with the Dutchman as his regista.

Even tonight against Torino, like a week ago against Cagliari, Reijnders will play a bit deeper. Amid the rotations towards the end of the season, the former AZ Alkmaar man remains on the pitch.

Future to be written

This evening’s game will be an intriguing challenge. The Europe-hungry Toro will attack and push, while Reijnders will have an individual battle with Samuele Ricci, who has been reinvented as an attacking midfielder.

As an all-action player, Reijnders will also play in Germany, with the oranje shirt. Koeman fell in love with his way of playing and, like Pioli, deployed him practically everywhere: mezzala, regista, even behind the centre-forward.

Milan are watching with satisfaction and are very happy with their investment last summer. Whoever takes over from Pioli will know that Tijjani is someone to build around.