Tijjani Reijnders led AC Milan past Como on Saturday night. The Oranje international prevented a painful home defeat against the regional rival with a goal and an assist and joins the Dutch national team in top form.
AC Milan secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Como on Saturday night in what turned out to be a tense and dramatic encounter at San Siro.
Tijjani Reijnders was the star of the show, playing a decisive role in preventing what would have been a disappointing home defeat. The Dutch international delivered a crucial goal and an assist, stepping up when Milan needed him most and ensuring that Stefano Pioli’s side avoided another setback just before the international break.
Milan came into this match carrying the weight of recent struggles. Their painful elimination at the hands of Feyenoord in the Champions League knockout round playoff last month had already put them under pressure. That European exit was followed by three consecutive losses in Serie A, raising serious concerns about the team’s form and their ability to hold onto a top-three finish. Last weekend, they narrowly avoided yet another humiliation, as they had to mount a late comeback to edge past Lecce 3-2. While that victory prevented an immediate crisis, it did little to convince supporters that Milan had fully turned a corner. Their performance against Como once again exposed several weaknesses, but thanks to Reijnders' brilliance, they managed to come away with a crucial win.
The match itself was an open and lively affair, with both teams creating opportunities in the early stages. Milan started brightly and had an excellent chance to take the lead within the first 15 minutes. A swift attacking move saw the ball fall to Yunus Musah in a promising position, but instead of finding the better-placed Reijnders or Christian Pulisic, he opted to take the shot himself, sending it wildly off target. It was an early warning sign that Milan’s finishing needed to be sharper. Como, meanwhile, showed no signs of fear or intimidation despite playing at San Siro. Cesc Fàbregas’ side had a clear tactical plan—stay compact defensively and look for quick transitions in attack. That strategy paid off after 30 minutes when Como took a shock lead. A well-orchestrated attacking move exposed gaps in Milan’s defensive structure, and Lucas da Cunha calmly slotted the ball past Mike Maignan to make it 1-0.
The goal stunned the home crowd and highlighted the ongoing vulnerabilities in Milan’s backline. Como continued to look dangerous on the counter, and had it not been for a spectacular save from Maignan, they could have gone into halftime with an even bigger lead. Milan, on the other hand, struggled to find rhythm in attack. Despite dominating possession, their final passes lacked precision, and they failed to create clear-cut chances for much of the first half. Pioli’s frustration on the sidelines was evident, as his team looked far from the dominant force they were expected to be against a newly-promoted opponent.
The second half saw more drama unfold. Como nearly doubled their advantage just minutes after the restart when Da Cunha found himself in space and finished past Maignan once again. However, Milan was given a huge lifeline as the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. That decision proved to be a turning point in the match, as Milan immediately shifted gears and began their push for an equalizer. Their breakthrough came shortly afterward, with Reijnders playing a central role. The Dutch midfielder delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Christian Pulisic, who made no mistake with his finish. The American winger struck the ball first-time into the far corner, leaving Como’s goalkeeper with no chance and leveling the score at 1-1. It was Pulisic’s fifteenth goal of the season, another reminder of his importance to Milan’s attack.
With the momentum now on their side, Milan continued to press forward in search of a winner. Como, to their credit, did not sit back completely and remained a threat on the counterattack. Several times, they tested Maignan with quick transitions, but Milan’s defensive duo of Fikayo Tomori and Malick Thiaw managed to hold firm. The match was finely balanced heading into the final 20 minutes when Reijnders once again took center stage.
In the 69th minute, the Dutch international almost produced a spectacular moment, unleashing a long-range strike that rattled the crossbar. It was a warning sign of what was to come. Just a few minutes later, Milan finally found their winner, and once again, Reijnders was at the heart of the action. Tammy Abraham, who had replaced Santiago Giménez as Milan’s central striker, did well to hold up play inside the box before laying the ball off to Reijnders. This time, there was no denying him. The midfielder kept his composure and drilled a low shot into the near corner, sending the San Siro crowd into celebration. His goal not only sealed Milan’s comeback but also showcased his growing confidence and influence in the team.
Como never fully recovered from that blow. Their hopes of a late response were further crushed when Dele Alli, making his debut for the club, received a straight red card for a reckless challenge in the dying moments. With Como reduced to ten men, Milan saw out the remaining minutes comfortably. It was not a vintage performance by any means, but in a period where results are more important than style, Milan will take the three points with relief.
For Reijnders, this match was yet another highlight in what has been a fantastic season. His tally now stands at thirteen goals and two assists, impressive numbers for a midfielder. He even had a chance to add another goal in the closing minutes, but much to his frustration, he dragged his shot wide. Despite that, his overall performance was nothing short of exceptional. The Dutchman has grown into a leader in Milan’s midfield, and his contributions in both attack and defense have been crucial.
As he now heads off for international duty with the Netherlands, Reijnders will join the squad full of confidence. With Euro 2024 approaching, he is staking a serious claim for a key role in Ronald Koeman’s team. His ability to dictate play, score goals, and provide assists makes him a valuable asset, and if he continues at this level, he could become a vital player for the national team in the upcoming tournament.
For Milan, this victory keeps them in the hunt for a top-three finish in Serie A, but there is still plenty of work to be done. Their inconsistencies remain a concern, and if they want to secure Champions League football for next season, they will need to show more stability in their performances. The win over Como may not have been convincing, but it was a necessary step in the right direction. With key players like Reijnders and Pulisic in form, Milan will hope to build momentum as they enter the final stretch of the campaign.
