The City midfielder: “Two fantastic years at the Rossoneri, where I learned a lot and thanks to which I grew as a man and as a person. I will never forget them”
Tijjani Reijnders impresses with education and healthy patience. Around 4.30pm in Houston, American time, on a rainy Saturday afternoon with dark clouds full of hail, he showed up in the mixed zone after the 5-1 victory against Sweden to respond to the large crowd of reporters stationed with microphones to bring home statements. He didn’t say no to anyone: Dutch people from newspapers, websites and television, English people from all over the island eager to know something about Haaland, Koreans and Japanese, Mexicans and Americans and finally us, who intercepted him between one question and another to talk about Milan, Holland, Malen, Gakpo, Erling and that Italy that remained in his heart. Reijnders flew to City last summer after two seasons with the Rossoneri. Top balance sheet: one trophy, 104 appearances, 19 goals.
Tiijani, the first question is easy: can the Netherlands win the World Cup?
“Yes, we can do it and we work for it. After the first match against Japan we looked each other in the eye and said that we should make a leap in quality: well, I’d say we did.”
What went wrong with Japan?
“The last minute goal cut our legs short: a shame. We faced a strong team, but against Sweden it was something else.”
What was the key with Sweden?
“To score immediately and close it after a quarter of an hour. The team has always been high. We exploited the flanks and scored. Brobbey and Gakpo were good, as was the whole team.”
She scored the first goal.
“If I had to choose the best goal of the match I would choose that, but the result, the 5 goals… are thanks to everyone.”
And maybe Guardiola’s work on her, right?
“He is a genius. This year he taught me a lot, he always helped me and talked to me. Assists of this type, the ones in which you start the action which then leads to a goal in a couple of passes, he calls them “pre-assists”.”
Gakpo transforms into the national team, why?
“I don’t know his situation at Liverpool and so I won’t comment, but with us it’s fundamental: we’re talking about a champion who scored two goals in the decisive moment. I repeat: we are strong.”
And Malen? He was replaced after 45 minutes on Saturday.
“He’s our striker. What he did with Roma is there for all to see. I played in Italy, I know how difficult it is. We trust him.”
Speaking of Italy: do you miss Milan?
“I am attached to the Rossoneri, they are and will always be in my heart. They were two fantastic years, where I learned a lot and thanks to which I grew as a player and as a person. I will never forget them.”
Have you by any chance heard from Ibra? He is in America as a commentator…
“Yes, I know. I see it. We haven’t written or spoken to each other yet, but if I were to meet him I would hug him with pleasure.”
Do you miss Italy at the World Cup?
“Well, obviously. I was very sorry, but he’ll get better soon.”
Will Haaland be the top scorer of the World Cup?
“I saw the match against Iraq. What can we say about Erling? He always scores, he’s a goal machine. And I also see him in training, with Manchester City. Believe me: he doesn’t make a single mistake there either.”
Is he the strongest striker in the World Cup?
“Well, Erling is a friend but I keep Gakpo.”
Has Dumfries already started talking about Real inside the dressing room? He smiles, before running off on the bus:
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