GdS: Creativity, class and goals – Milan-Roma is ‘super Reijnders’ vs. ‘La Joya’ | OneFootball

They don’t wear the number 10 shirts for AC Milan and Roma, but Tijjani Reijnders versus Paulo Dybala will be the battle between creative geniuses tonight.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport writes, when you talk about quality in Milan-Roma, you can’t help but think of them: Reijnders on one side, Dybala on the other. On December 29, during the 1-1 draw that cost Paulo Fonseca his job, they both struck.

The Rossoneri took the lead with a nice finish from the Dutchman to round off a counter-attack, then the Giallorossi equalised with a brilliant right-foot volley from La Joya after Artem Dovbyk’s wonderful flick to set him up.

This time, a draw is not an option, because tonight a spot in the Coppa Italia semi-finals is at stake: even if it means going to penalties, one of the two teams will smile in the end, the other won’t. Reijnders comes into it after a goal in the derby, while Dybala came on against Roma at the end, due to not being at 100%.

To be honest, Reijnders had already unlocked himself in the ‘Conceiçao era’ the previous week against Parma, proving wrong those who believed he had lost his magic touch after the change of head coac. More likely, Tiji was just catching his breath.

More Stories / The Match

GdS: Creativity, class and goals – Milan-Roma is ‘super Reijnders’ vs. ‘La Joya’

5 February 2025, 12:25

GdS: Predicted XIs for Milan vs. Roma – Gimenez and Joao Felix on the bench

5 February 2025, 11:40

Gallery: ‘Gimenez heats San Siro up’, ‘Dybala agitates Milan’ – Today’s front pages in Italy

5 February 2025, 10:19

After all, he is the Rossoneri outfield player with the most minutes in his legs (2,642′ on the pitch) and today he will play his 22nd consecutive game from the start, after the red card against Udinese forced him to miss the big match against Napoli in the league at the end of October.

Since then, he has never rested in Serie A, Champions League, Coppa Italia and in the Supercoppa. The impression, however, is that the slight decline of early 2025 is already behind him. Against Parma and Inter, we saw the autumnal version of Reijnders not only in terms of goals but also creativity and drive.

In short, the Dutchman has started to accelerate again. And for the match against Roma, he will get his battle partner in the middle back in Youssouf Fofana, with whom he immediately bonded on and off the pitch, forming one of the best midfield pairs in Serie A.

If the Frenchman has personality and defensive readings, Reijnders is increasingly becoming the team’s technical leader, together with Pulisic and, less consistently, Leao and Theo Hernandez. Obviously, the club has also noticed this, with Milan moving quickly to secure their jewel.

There is, in fact, already a basis for an agreement to extend his contract until 2029 with an option until 2030 at about double his salary. It will most likely be formalized at the end of the season, but the Rossoneri believe they have already protected themselves from the assault of Europe’s big clubs.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Tonight will inevitably also be Dybala’s match, because what he and Reijnders speak is ultimately the same language, that of classy players. When the Argentine passes through San Siro it is never a banal match.

On the pitch the Roma attacking midfielder always leaves palpable traces, especially now that under Claudio Ranieri he seems to be more physically reliable, with 11 starts in 15 games. After the renewal until 2026, the Joya is more than ever the leader of the Giallorossi.

Dybala also loves playing against Milan. He scored his latest gem in the league just over a month ago against the Rossoneri at San Siro, responding to Reijnders’ opener, and he was decisive last year against Milan in the Europa League.

Milan themselves are the team he has faced the most in his career (26 times) with 15 wins, 6 draws and 5 defeats (10 goals and 6 assists in matches against the Rossoneri). And tonight, ranging across the entire attacking front, he will look to his loyal allies Dovbyk, Saelemaekers and Angeliño for service.