Reijnders Steps Up as AC Milan’s Midfield Scoring Threat
Heading into the Coppa Italia final, all eyes are on AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutch midfielder might not grab the same headlines as Milan’s forwards, but right now, he’s hunting a record many forget. In just four games during this Coppa Italia run, he’s found the net twice. That puts him just one goal shy of breaking a mark set by none other than Manuel Rui Costa, the Portuguese maestro, who scored three times as a midfielder in the 2005/06 campaign. One more goal would put Reijnders alone at the top for most Coppa Italia goals by a Milan midfielder in a single season.
What makes the story even more intriguing? Milan’s opponent in the final is Bologna—the same team against whom Reijnders made his first-ever Milan appearance back in August 2023. It’s the sort of narrative you’d roll your eyes at if you saw it in a movie, but it’s playing out for real. His connection to this matchup adds something special, not just for the player but also for fans following his journey in red and black.
Milan’s Ruthless Efficiency Sets Them Apart
There’s more to AC Milan’s run than just Reijnders’ goals. The Rossoneri have been ruthless in front of goal. Since the round of 16, Milan have scored 13 times—nobody in the competition can match that tally. That’s not just down to volume, either. They’re converting their chances at a 27% clip, showing just how clinical they’ve been attacking-wise.
Bologna, by contrast, have taken a different path to the final. They’ve fired off 59 shots compared to Milan’s 48, but they’ve only managed to score 10 goals. That might not sound like much of a gap, but it highlights Milan’s cutting edge: fewer shots, more goals. While Bologna’s strikers and midfielders keep peppering the goal, Milan’s attacks tend to count for more on the scoreboard.
Reijnders’ performances have played a big part in this. His ability to pop up with goals from midfield has given Milan another dimension, one that’s often the difference in big knockout ties. Beyond the numbers, he’s frequently involved in build-up play and seems to time his runs perfectly. If he finds the net again in the final, he’ll not only write himself into Milan’s record books but also give his team a serious chance at another Coppa Italia trophy.
Milan fans will be hoping to witness both a piece of individual history and another team triumph. And if Reijnders’ current form is anything to go by, anything feels possible.
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