GdS: Reijnders and Pulisic have Kakà and Seedorf record in sight – the numbers | OneFootball

AC Milan have relied upon Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders many times this season, the two most consistent performers in a difficult campaign.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport writes, when considering only the midfielders – at most wingers or the attacking midfielders, but not centre-forwards – the two of them are the second best duo of the last 20 years for Milan in Serie A.

Kaka-Seedorf: They are preceded only by the Kakà-Seedorf duo, uncatchable in the 2007-08 season, with a total of 38 goals and assists combined. Pulisic and Reijnders have so far got 28 in 29 games played (an average of 0.96 per game) and could still increase their tally in this final part of the season.

Kaka and Seedorf shone 17 years ago when Milan finished fifth in the league (therefore out of the Champions League) and was eliminated in the round of 16 by Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor’s Arsenal.

The Brazilian though got 15 goals and 11 assists, with the Dutchman added seven goals and five assists. The total was 38 goal contributions combined, and in the next season they would get 36.

Pulisic-Reijnders: In practically every game (28 out of 29) one between Pulisic and Reijnders scores and/or provides an assist. So far the American has scored nine times, to which must be added six assists. Reijnders also has nine goals, but he has provided three assists.

The numbers therefore help us to photograph the current situation of Milan, one which depends more than ever on the plays of the two most important players. Pulisic has reached his personal record for goals, Tijjani has even gone further, and there are still 9 games to go.

Kaka-Pirlo: In 2004-05 Kaká shone as an assist man. He go 11, which was unmatched. In addition, he scored seven goals, in a Milan that was unveiling the Christmas tree with Ancelotti who sewed on him the role of trequartista behind the two strikers.

Paired with him on the podium of this ranking is Andrea Pirlo, author of a great season as a regista: in which he registered four goals and six assists.

Kessie-Calhanoglu: Franck Kessie, thanks to being on penalties, would amass 13 goals and four assists in the 2020-21 season. The Turk ended with four goals and seven assists in was a Milan that was taking shape, in its first full year with Pioli as coach.

Kessiè was the ‘Presidente’ in the eyes of all and was the team’s top scorer, while Calha was ‘the intelligent player that we were missing’, according to Pioli. Six months later he would go to Inter.

Pulisic-RLC: Pulisic again in this top FIVE, this time with a different team-mate. He had 12 goals and eight assists registered last year, accompanied by the six goals (and one assist) of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a midfielder of fight, government and progression, much appreciated by Pioli.

This season, however, he has almost never been seen, often due to injuries, while Pulisic will most likely improve his score. In the nine remaining games, three goals and three assists will be enough for him to surpass himself.