Reijnders the quality marathon runner from Milan

In all three matches, the Dutchman was the AC Milan player who ran the most kilometers. And with Krunic he is the only outfield player who has never been substituted. High pass accuracy: 92% pass in the opponent’s half

Mark Pasotto

They all have fun, and in the end this is the most important thing. He enjoys himself, seeing him on the pitch as a veteran of Milanello and not a new arrival from the transfer market. The coach is enjoying himself, having found someone to entrust with the keys to the team. The club is having fun, which has embellished the squad without squandering assets. And the fans are having fun, who observe him enraptured and happy. Tijjani Reijnders is, by far, the most amazing signing of the Rossoneri summer market. Because Pulisic brought with him class and performance that were just waiting to be uncorked: they were all known things. Just as it was known that Loftus-Cheek would solidify the median. Likewise, big rings are expected soon from Chukwueze and Okafor. Reijnders, on the other hand, was part of those less media-oriented investments, deemed wise and sensible above all by the insiders who already knew him. However, we are talking about a delicate transfer such as those who plan to Milan from a provincial club such as Az Alkmaar can be.

business card

In short, it was not obvious that Tijjani would immediately take Milan by the hand. He is the Devil’s tailor, and the cut and sew is of a high standard: fine fabric, modern style. Reijnders in Milan’s first three official matches he has already carved out important statistics. The first one amazed everyone and ran for a long time on the Rossoneri web: the now famous 27 successful passes in Bologna out of as many attempts (now we are at 98 positives against 8 unsuccessful). Accuracy, reliability and vision: this was the visiting card with which the Dutchman presented himself to our championship. A series of plays with an average of two touches, with the ability to always understand when to accelerate and when to spin the ball. Then another stat broke in, which has an effect because it is the playmaker of the team. In all three matches Reijnders was the Rossoneri who ran the most: 12.8 kilometers in Bologna, 12.36 with Turin, 12.38 in Rome.

columns

The combination of quality and quantity is obviously the greatest quality for a midfielder. Immovable and essential, at least in this first phase of the season. He and Krunic are the only two outfield players who have not missed even a minute so far, a clear sign on the columns on which Pioli is building his new Milan. Ah, there would also be a nerd average grade: a nice full 7, lower only to Pulisic (7.16). Other goodies, in no particular order: with 92% Tijjani is the player with the best percentage of successful passes in the opposition’s half of the midfielders who have played all 270 minutes in this league. Flaws? Only one, at the moment: it lacks a bit of malice, a bit of killer instinct in the goal area, as emerged both in these first league matches and in the summer tests. Maybe half a kilometer less running per game would be enough…



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