Reliance on Reijnders increases after poor midfield display against Monza

The importance of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to AC Milan has only grown after he was left on the bench for the Serie A defeat against Monza last weekend, a report suggests. 

As has been reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, it was clear at the weekend that there is a certain balance missing from the Milan midfield when Reijnders is not on the pitch.

Since joining the club in the summer, Reijnders became an immediate starter and was one of the first names on the teamsheet in a 4-3-3 formation. The only league game he has missed was Napoli, and that was thanks to a suspension.

Ismael Bennacer has since returned to fitness and Yacine Adli’s influence has grown, and Stefano Pioli has found himself playing a 4-2-3-1 with Ruben Loftus-Cheek in a more advanced role. The Englishman’s great form in that role means the other midfielders are fighting over two spots.

Bennacer and Adli were given the start in the 4-2 loss against Monza on Sunday night, but there was a lack of control which may have been there if the energy of Reijnders had been on the pitch. When he came on, Milan were able to speed their play up and fight back into the game, albeit before Monza scored two late goals.