Reijnders: ‘Milan could have managed the ball better, already thinking about second leg’ | OneFootball

Tijjani Reijnders feels that Milan could have operated better on the ball in their 4-2 victory over Slavia Praha in the Europa League on Thursday evening, but overall he is happy with the result and insists that the Rossoneri are already thinking ahead to their return leg next week.

Reijnders notched his third goal in Rossoneri colours since his reported €20m move from AZ Alkmaar in the summer against Slavia, adding to Olivier Giroud’s opener. Ruben Loftus-Cheek added Milan’s third in first-half injury time, while Christian Pulisic got the fourth five minutes before the 90th.

Milan, however, were playing against 10 men from the 26th minute following El Hadji Malick Diouf’s dismissal. The sending-off came eight minutes before Giroud’s opening goal.

Though he is pleased overall with Milan’s performance, Reijnders told Sky Sport Italia that Milan could have been better on the ball at certain stages of Thursday night.

“We actually could have managed the ball better at one point, especially around their second goal. But in the end we won 4-2, we’re already thinking about the return leg,” Reijnders said, reported via TMW.

“We didn’t underestimate Slavia Praha, at this stage of the competition, every match is a challenge.”

Asked if Milan are in for another tough battle when they travel to Prague for the second leg next week, Reijnders said: “Yes, we will have to fight and they will definitely be fighting, too. The most important thing is to be more incisive on the ball.

“I’m happy to be here with these guys. Today wasn’t the best match, but I hope I can still be an important player for this team.”