Reijnders denies Coppa Italia saving grace tag: “Milan have to compete” | OneFootball

This afternoon, Tijjani Reijnders has spoken about what the Coppa Italia means for AC Milan, but he is not getting carried away.

There are a number of things this season that have been sub-par, but the performances of Reijnders have regularly not been. In fact, in a season where Milan have lacked inspiration, the Dutchman has been a shining light.

Putting himself amongst the best midfielders in Europe, the midfielder has 19 contributions this year, adding goals to his game and taking him to the next level. Whilst the Rossoneri have benefitted from this, he is also a target for European elites now.

Manchester City are one of the big threats when a player becomes a star in Europe, and this is the case here, with the Citizens set to send an offer in the next few days it seems.

For Reijnders though, his focus is on the game, and he spoke to The Athletic, via Calciomercato.com.

Will the Coppa Italia Final save the season?

“No, no, no. We can’t say that if we win, we’ve had a good season. Of course, we’d win two trophies, but Milan have to compete for the Scudetto and go as far as possible in the Champions League. This hasn’t happened. Luckily, we have a final to play that can allow us to win another trophy. But no. It’s a mix of feelings.”

14 points less than last season…

“It’s frustrating, because we have quality.” More Stories about Tijjani Reijnders Reijnders denies Coppa Italia saving grace tag: “Milan have to compete” 14 May 2025, 16:40 Athletic: Man City ‘hopeful’ of signing Milan star Reijnders this summer – the situation 14 May 2025, 11:15 CorSport: Guardiola wants Reijnders at Man City – the figure that would tempt Milan 13 May 2025, 12:55

There was a lack of continuity…

“We won against Real Madrid for example and then drew with Cagliari…”

Change from Fonseca to Conceicao…

“It’s always different when a new coach arrives, because he has a different vision of how he wants to play and he has to convey his ideas to the players as quickly as possible. But yes, for us it was a discussion about what was happening.

“Sometimes we were unlucky. Sometimes we weren’t there from the start of the game. And there are things that we had to develop much better and much faster.”

Final against Bologna…

“

They are a difficult team to face. They play one-on-one all over the pitch, so we have to make a lot of movements during the game. On top of that, they also have a lot of quality with the ball at their feet. They have wingers who are playing well, but we mustn’t go out on the pitch and be afraid of Bologna. We are Milan and we have to show it.”

Father Martin…

“It’s thanks to him that I learned to play. After every game I call him and ask him: “What did I do well? What should I have done better?”

Fewer goals last year…

“The problem is not the technique, the reason why I kicked. I wasn’t calm when I received the ball, because in a couple of situations I said to myself: “Oh, I have to shoot.” When I’m calmer in front of goal, you realize you have more time. That’s what was missing last season.”

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Only pulisic has scored more than you…

“I’m a typical box-to-box player, who helps the team build and find the connection with the attack, both by serving my teammates with passes and by being in the penalty area and being important with goals.”

IDOL DE BRUYNE…

NEXT SEASON…

“The important thing is to go back to the basics and start from there.”