Reijnders: “Tonight was magical and it is a truly beautiful victory for us, the game went exactly as we expected” | OneFootball

Tijjani Reijnders celebrating during Real Madrid-Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on November 5, 2024. (@acmilan.com)

Tijjani Reijnders hailed the ‘tremendous effort’ by the team after an incredible win against Real Madrid.

Reijnders was once again on the scoresheet, this time possibly scoring the most prestigious goal in his career – a goal at the Santiago Bernabéu against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.

Milan played a magnificent match against Los Blancos last night, beating them 3-1 away from home, with goals coming from Malick Thiaw (12′), Vinícius Júnior (23′ pk), Álvaro Morata (39′) and the Dutchman (73′).

“It’s something you want in big games – to score a goal of course and tonight was a magical night for the team and for me, and I’m very proud of us,” Tijjani told MilanTV at the end of the match.

You’ve scored many goals lately…“I think I’m now more in the box instead of a little bit outside the box so I come more in the right places and that’s a good feeling of course. I was working on it last season already but this season it works out really well until now.”

Next game is on Saturday…“Next Saturday we have again a match and we have to be ready for that match because in the league we also have to win our games and we can take confidence from this game to the next match.”

Tijjani Reijnders celebrating during Real Madrid-Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on November 5, 2024. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Speaking in the mixed-zone, the midfielder said: “Tonight was magical, a tremendous effort by the entire team. I’m very proud, and it’s a truly beautiful victory for us.”

Does this match bring confidence for the future?“Real Madrid is obviously a great team, and we have confidence, which we showed on the field by playing both positional play and defensive play. It’s a fantastic feeling.”

How did you prepare for this game?“Yesterday, we had our final practice, and it went exactly as we expected. There were plenty of spaces for us in midfield, and we used them, creating a lot of opportunities.”

Leão had a great match…“We all know Rafa is a great player. What he did for the team today and how he put me in the perfect position [to score] was just right. I’m happy he gave me an assist today.”

Tijjani Reijnders during Real Madrid-Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on November 5, 2024. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Can this be the season’s turning point?“We certainly had a difficult start to the season, but now with the way we’re playing and what we’re showing on the field, we just have to keep going like this.”

You’ve been consistently in the scoring zone…“I’ve been very close many times but now I’ve found my stride, and I hope to help the team as much as I can.”

Did you expect this Real Madrid?“We knew, of course, that they have great players and that they were dangerous in our area, but I think we did well in how we prepared and defended.”