Tijjani Reijnders was a dynamic presence in his Manchester City preseason debut. He ended up scoring two goals to help the team pull off a huge 3-0 victory over Palermo down in Sicily. The Dutch midfielder arrived on a full transfer from AC Milan during the August summer transfer window. He further highlighted his attacking talent and developed a great partnership with fellow American Savinho. Reijnders’ performance is a positive indication ahead of the Premier League’s return.
Reijnders came into the game as a half-time substitute and made his mark on the pitch straight away. This is because he recorded a remarkable 70 touches in his first half, more than any other City player. His quick footwork and smart positioning gave him enough space to generate a slew of potential scoring threats, in the end resulting in his two scoreless.
A Stellar Performance
Reijnders’ debut goal was immediately after he entered the game to start the second half. He made a smart run into the penalty area to meet Savinho’s precise pass, firing it into the far corner of the net. This early strike opened the floodgates on his performance. It provided a glimpse of his ability to identify space in and around the opponent’s backline.
Not happy with just one goal, Reijnders quickly doubled City’s lead. He was dialed in with his workouts and showed elite off-the-ball running. By generating separation from defenders, he put himself in a dangerous position to receive a nifty flick from Divine Mukasa. He was on the board soon after, hitting again with laser-like precision to the same corner. Palermo’s goalkeeper, Alfred Gomis, was given no chance to save.
As the match went on, Reijnders just seemed to be more of a threat with every passing minute. He came on, and immediately just fired off four shots. That’s twice as many as any other player on the field even attempted. Every shot was the product of his smart positioning, highlighting his offensive potential.
Strong Defensive Contributions
Reijnders is primarily known as an attacking midfielder, he better showcased his defensive prowess in this match. He impressed everywhere, winning all four of his duels and showcasing a rounded game. This defensive work, combined with his attacking contributions, painted a picture of a versatile midfielder who can significantly benefit Manchester City this season.
His performance was a true example of amazing individual brilliance. It further illustrated so much of what makes him and Rayan Cherki able to unify City’s myriad attacking talents. Their chemistry up top was on full display as they linked up beautifully, confusing Palermo’s backline all game long.
Near Miss for a Hat-Trick
As the game wore on, Reijnders was unlucky not to have a hat-trick in the final seconds. Having regained possession high up the pitch, he was quickly through on goal, one-on-one with opposite number Gomis. In an unfortunate twist, he tripped just short of the finish. He blew the opportunity for what arguably would have been a bedrock personal success.
Despite this near miss, Reijnders’ overall performance solidified his position as a key player for Pep Guardiola’s side as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season. His multi-faceted game defensively and offensively makes him a truly indispensable piece heading into the future.
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