Tijjani Reijnders played a pivotal role in AC Milan’s Champions League campaign, scoring twice in their 3-1 victory over Club Brugge at the San Siro on Tuesday. The Netherlands midfielder netted goals in the 61st and 71st minutes, marking Milan’s first points in this year’s revamped competition.
Milan had initially struggled against Brugge, who equalized through Kyriani Sabbe shortly after halftime, following Christian Pulisic’s opening goal from a corner in the 34th minute. The Belgian side was reduced to 10 men when Raphael Onyedika received a straight red card in the 40th minute for a foul on Reijnders.
Reijnders’ goals were both impressive first-time finishes, but the spotlight briefly shifted to 16-year-old Francesco Camarda, who nearly made history as the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history. His late header, however, was ruled offside, denying him the moment of glory.
The victory was crucial for Milan, especially with their upcoming match against Real Madrid, where securing points will be vital for knockout phase qualification.
Despite the win, the atmosphere in the stadium was subdued. Milan’s hardcore ultras protested against high ticket prices, which they argue cater to affluent tourists rather than loyal fans. Attendance for the match was notably lower, with only 58,649 fans showing up compared to the usual 70,000 for significant fixtures.
The supporters club AIMC criticized the club’s ticketing policy, reflecting widespread discontent among fans regarding accessibility and pricing.