The Italian newspaper Tuttosport, in its print edition, spoke highly of AC Milan's midfielder, Tijjani Reijnders, after the 3-0 victory against Empoli. At the San Siro, in fact, the former AZ Alkmaar player delivered a strong performance and scored a brace.
A double flash of brilliance from the Dutchman to split Empoli's defence in two and pierce through the thick Milanese fog of the evening.
Thanks to an extraordinary brace from Tijani Reijnders, increasingly showing his scoring prowess, the 26-year-old midfielder has now reached six goals this season (plus two for his national team). Along with Alvaro Morata’s rediscovered scoring touch in the league, Milan comfortably defeated D’Aversa’s Empoli 3-0, achieving the minimum and mandatory goal for the day: three points.
Considering the recent draws with Cagliari and Juventus, Paulo Fonseca’s Rossoneri had no other result in mind against Empoli but victory.
With this win, Milan — still with a game in hand against Bologna (likely to be played in February), now sits at 22 points, three behind sixth-placed Juventus. However, they remain distant from the teams occupying the extended Champions League zone (all at 28 points, with Napoli leading at 29).
Still, Fiorentina and Inter Milan will inevitably take points off each other today.
The Rossoneri did what was necessary, especially since next Friday, after Tuesday's Coppa Italia Round of 16 clash at San Siro against Sassuolo, they will visit Atalanta.
That match will serve as yet another test for the Portuguese coach and his team. Returning from Bergamo with points will be essential; otherwise, the risk of being out of Champions League contention as early as December will become increasingly real.
