Tijjani Reijnders has endured a frustrating debut season for Manchester City. The Dutch international has scored seven goals and added seven assists in 42 appearances in all competitions this season. Those numbers aren’t bad for a midfielder, but they do not tell the story of Reijnders’ debut season at City. It was expected when Reijnders was signed by Manchester City from AC Milan that he’d be a consistent starter for Pep Guardiola’s side. Reijnders arrived at City in his prime and seemed to be a ready-made player for City. Instead, Tijjani Reijnders has been a frustrating player, as dealing with the physicality of the Premier League looks to be beyond the Dutch international at this stage. His performances have also fluctuated from good to poor on too many occasions.
Visit lebandit.lat for more information.
Also, Tijjani Reijnders does his best work playing in a deeper midfield role where his runs from midfield and his attacking prowess are a major weapon. This stood out during his time at AC Milan, especially last season. The Dutch international hasn’t played that type of role for City for the majority of this season. As Pep Guardiola’s side looks to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Real Madrid tonight, is tonight the night for Pep Guardiola to play Reijnders in a deeper midfield role to add another goal threat to Manchester City’s play tonight?
Tijjani Reijnders could play an important role for Manchester City tonight against Real Madrid.
Manchester City needs goals tonight against Real Madrid. That is almost the understatement of the season. Pep Guardiola’s side enters tonight’s match 3-0 down on aggregate in their Round of 16 UEFA Champions League tie against Alvaro Arbeloa’s side. City has also struggled to put away their chances this season, so Pep Guardiola will have to find balance in his midfield between having stability and having the appropriate goal threat. Perhaps, Tijjani Reijnders can help on that front.
Tijjani Reijnders does his best work almost playing as a number eight and getting forward from that role. His late runs into the penalty area can unsettle a low defensive block, and that could aid Manchester City’s cause tonight. That is one asset of Reijnders’ play, but that can be offset by two factors. One: Tijjani Reijnders’ finishing can be erratic. Two: Reijnders can struggle in duels, given that playing as a number eight will require him to do his share of defensive and physical work if he were to start against Real Madrid tonight. It is food for thought if nothing else.
The problem is, can Reijnders be trusted to carry that much responsibility in a big game?
There is another issue that may prevent Tijjani Reijnders from starting against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium tonight: Can he be trusted by Pep Guardiola to carry so much responsibility in a big match? Perhaps not, based on his performances this season. However, at some point, players like Tijjani Reijnders need to assume responsibility in this City side. Tonight’s match may be the ideal opportunity for Pep Guardiola to start Reijnders in a deeper midfield role to see if he can perform on the biggest stage. It may be the setting Reijnders needs to begin to become the midfielder that Manchester City signed him to be.
The idea of Tijjani Reijnders starting against Real Madrid in a deeper midfield role isn’t far-fetched. It is a role he could play. Having said that, Pep Guardiola would likely prefer Nico O’Reilly to play in that particular role against Real Madrid given O’Reilly’s impressive performances this season. Having said that, Tijjani Reijnders needs to show that he can play an important role for Manchester City in midfield. Tonight’s match could be the ideal setting for Pep Guardiola to throw a challenge Reijnders’ way to see if he can handle it and help his team try to overcome a 3-0 deficit.