Reijnders: ‘We didn’t play our game in the first half’

Tijjani Reijnders expressed disappointment following AC Milan’s narrow 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, highlighting the missed opportunities that could have changed the outcome. After the match, he reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “It’s a shame we couldn’t convert our chances, including one I had in the second half.”

Playing in a more advanced midfield position with Álvaro Morata starting on the bench, Reijnders acknowledged that while he contributed significantly to Milan’s attack, he squandered several key opportunities. He emphasized that despite the defeat, there were still positive aspects to take away from their play.

Commenting on the match dynamics, he said, “In the first half, we didn’t play our game. We gave them too much space and allowed them to create dangerous situations. However, in the second half, we played our game and had our chances, including mine, but we just couldn’t finish.”

After Bayer Leverkusen scored, Reijnders noted that Milan began to find more space and create scoring opportunities. “After their goal, we identified the spaces we wanted and created our own chances. The only issue was that we didn’t score, which is unfortunate.”

Looking ahead to their next match against Fiorentina, he added, “We need to continue playing like we finished this match. We must focus on good football and have faith in our team and style of play. As AC Milan, we aim to win every match, and that’s what we intend to do against Fiorentina.”