Reijnders Stars in AC Milan Victory: Player Ratings
AC Milan secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Hellas Verona on Saturday, with Tijjani Reijnders shining brightly in the midfield. The Dutch midfielder was the driving force behind the Rossoneri's success, orchestrating attacks and dictating the tempo.
The San Siro faithful witnessed a dominant performance from their team, with a strong first half setting the tone for the game. Reijnders, in particular, caught the eye with his exquisite passing range, clever movement, and tireless work-rate.
Let's delve into the individual performances of the AC Milan players, with a focus on the star of the show:
Tijjani Reijnders - 9/10
Reijnders was truly exceptional. His ability to control the tempo, initiate attacks with pinpoint passes, and break up Verona's advances was vital. He completed a remarkable 90% of his passes, demonstrating his accuracy and composure. Reijnders was also instrumental in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates, showing a vision and understanding of the game that belied his relative inexperience in Serie A.
Christian Pulisic - 8/10
Pulisic continued his impressive form with a goal and an assist. He was a constant threat on the right flank, showcasing his pace, dribbling skills, and ability to create danger. His goal was a well-taken finish, while his assist for Giroud displayed his vision and creativity.
Olivier Giroud - 7/10
Giroud scored a clinical goal to seal the win and proved a constant nuisance for the Verona defense. His aerial presence and hold-up play were crucial in bringing other players into the game. While he may not have been as prolific as in other games, his contributions were essential to AC Milan's success.
Theo Hernandez - 7/10
Hernandez was his usual dynamic self, providing attacking width and a constant threat down the left flank. He created several opportunities for his teammates, his overlapping runs and dangerous crosses causing Verona problems throughout the game.
Rafael Leao - 6/10
Leao struggled to make an impact in the first half, but improved significantly after the break. He was involved in several promising attacks, showing glimpses of his brilliance, but lacked consistency in his performance. He'll be looking to build on this and bring his A-game in the upcoming fixtures.
Other Notable Performances:
- Tomori and Kalulu were solid in defense, thwarting Verona's attacks with their composure and strength.
- Maignan was barely tested, but he showed his usual reliability when called upon.
Looking Ahead:
Reijnders's stellar display will undoubtedly give AC Milan fans a lot of optimism going forward. His ability to control the midfield and dictate the tempo is crucial for the Rossoneri's aspirations this season. With a key player like Reijnders at the heart of their operation, AC Milan will be looking to build on this victory and push for even greater achievements in the coming weeks.