Tijjani Reijnders spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the kind of particular person he’s and the place he likes to play.
Milan signed Reijnders this summer season for AZ Alkmaar and the midfielder has already acquired compliments from Stefano Pioli (“he’s clever”) and from Rafael Leão (“he’s robust in passing”).
The smiling Dutchman, who will likely be sporting the #14 jersey on his again subsequent summer season, sat down in the USA for an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Luca Bianchin to debate many issues.
How does it really feel wish to be at Milan?
“I’ve been impressed, from day one. I instantly perceive that I used to be in a giant membership, completely different from the scale of AZ Alkmaar that I used to be used to.”
What impresses?
“The followers. Seeing how they help us could be very cool. Then as a baby I all the time watched Milan on TV, alone or along with my father, I all the time knew that Milan was a terrific membership.”
In case you needed to sum all of it up in a single identify, which one?
“Marco Van Basten. Among the best within the historical past of the Netherlands. In case you ask me for the identify of a Dutchman from Milan, the primary one which involves thoughts is him.”
The Milan followers are questioning the place Reijnders will play in Pioli’s new 4-3-3, nonetheless to be constructed. Somebody says deep-lying playmaker, others mezz’ala. Who is correct?
“I wish to play as a quantity 8, as a mezz’ala. What I do finest is being a box-to-box participant, efficient defensively and on the opposite half of the pitch. I like to assist construct the sport and be a inventive participant.”
Mezz’ala then… are you higher on the suitable or on the left?
“On the left, I really feel higher there.”
So Milan’s deep-lying playmaker will likely be Krunić…
“Sure, I believe Rade is our central midfielder as we speak, then we’ll see the way it goes throughout the season.”
The quantity 14 on the shoulders of a Dutchman really brings to thoughts a extra attacking participant…
“Sure, I selected it for Cruijff. My favourite quantity is 6, I additionally used it within the Netherlands, however clearly at Milan you’ll be able to’t take it due to Franco Baresi. So I considered Cruijff and the selection was pure.
And the way is it going with the Italian?
“Um… it’s nonetheless early. I’m being taught just a few phrases right here: ‘come stai’ [how are you], ‘buongiorno’ [good morning], easy issues. The following step is to discover a dwelling in Milano as a result of I nonetheless haven’t discovered the place I’m going to remain. We’ll do this once we come again from the tour.”
What’s Tijjani Reijnders’ dream at virtually 25 years outdated?
“Successful a Champions League with Milan. However now additionally a Scudetto.”
For Milan, there was additionally a ‘no’ to Barcelona and we perceive that by now. Is it true {that a} name additionally got here from Xavi?
“Sure, however I had made my selection. I had talked with Moncada and Pioli and at that time I had already made up my thoughts, additionally with my household. I had already determined that I’d play for Milan.”
Being at Milan additionally means managing the post-Tonali state of affairs. The favourite participant of many Milanisti has left the midfield. Do you are feeling strain or nothing?
“Zero. I truthfully don’t really feel strain, I wish to be myself on and off the pitch.”
Talking of that Scudetto discuss, who’re the favorites?
“In Italy there are numerous nice golf equipment, we all know that. Juventus, Napoli, who had a terrific season, Inter…”
If you need to select probably the most harmful opponent?
“Napoli.”
How is Tijjani off the pitch?
“A tranquil man, very relaxed. A bit lazy, this sure. After coaching I wish to chill out.”
Who’s your lifelong idol?
“Messi. And in my function, Iniesta.”
The primary sportsman?
“Perhaps Bolt.”
Favourite sport off the pitch?
“Padel. I’ve been taking part in for 2-3 years and I play on the suitable facet.”
The stadium the place it might be good to play within the subsequent Champions League?
“Santiago Bernabéu.”
A second in historical past that might have been good to expertise?
“1988 within the Netherlands, once we received the EUROs.”
And an goal in life, in addition to soccer?
“That my household will likely be nicely and might have a great life with out too many worries.”
