GdS: ‘Flying Dutchmen’ – Reijnders and Koopmeiners prepare for Arabian duel | OneFootball

One of the sub-plots to AC Milan’s game against Juventus tonight in Saudi Arabia is the Dutch battle in the midfield between Teun Koopmeiners and Tijjani Reijnders.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, the pair are ready to battle it out in a match that can hardly be less spectacular than the one at San Siro back in October, the 0-0 draw in which there were only three combined shots on target.

Both did not shine on that occasion. On the contrary, Koopmeiners was deployed as a false nine and made mistakes that are unlike him, while Reijnders played one of the few insufficient performances of a season that has been sensational so far.

Juve’s all-action man

Tonight they want to give a different contribution to their teams that, for different reasons, need a jolt. Koopmeiners celebrated a trophy last season with Atalanta, winners of the Europa League in Dublin, but he hasn’t lost his appetite.

In the summer he said yes to Juventus because he was convinced he could make a further leap in quality in his career in Turin. His numbers in terms of goals (two) and assists (three) are not yet at the levels of the years with La Dea (10 goals in 2022-23, even 15 in 2023-24), but Thiago Motta trusts him.

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It was Motta who strongly wanted him and considers him important above all for the balance he brings to the team. He knows well that Teun has had a somewhat inconsistent performance or that, if you prefer, he hasn’t always shone as his undoubted qualities would allow him to do, but he is happy to have him in the middle of the field.

This is especially that case in a game like tonight’s, where one play can be decisive and the attitude will be key. Koopmeiners adapts to all roles and above all has no problem working hard when not in possession.

The former AZ Alkmaar man has been greatly developed by Gian Piero Gasperini and with Motta the belief is that he can climb another step in his growth path.

Power Reijnders

Last season, the best Dutch midfielder in Serie A was definitely Koopmeiners, while now Reijnders has snatched the throne from him. He has scored nine goals and is the Rossoneri’s top scorer, but above all by the beginning of January he has more than doubled his four goals in 2023-24.

It’s as if the birth of his son Xavién Lio Ti in March has transformed him: now he is no longer ‘just’ talent with flashes of brilliance, because he has added more consistent end product to his game making him an all-round threat.

In the (few) good nights of Milan’s 2024-25 season, Reijnders’ name has always been there on the scoresheet: a brace for the first Champions League win, a goal in the win over Real Madrid, an assist for Gabbia’s winning goal in the derby, plus winning goals against Monza and Verona.

If everyone had performed like him, Paulo Fonseca would still be in charge and Sergio Conceiçao probably in Portugal. Instead, now it will be up to the former Porto man to enhance him as he has done with many midfielders during his career.

Is it an easy task? Seeing Reinders so far, one would be tempted to answer yes, yet Sergio is convinced that the former AZ Alkmaar player – like all his teammates – can do more.

Milan, in the meantime, have locked him down with a contract renewal until 2030 (with a doubled salary, only the announcement is missing), hoping to keep the big clubs in Europe at bay. Above all, Real Madrid.