Tijjani Reijnders was on the periphery of things for the Netherlands in their 3-2 victory against Lithuania.
Reijnders had a quiet game against Poland and he would have been desperate to bounce back on Sunday.
Deployed as an attacking midfielder by Ronald Koeman, the 27-year-old would have been hoping to either score and assist to cap off a return to his usual influential self.
While Reijnders can play as a number 10, the midfielder was barely involved in proceedings as Koeman’s side looked far more threatening from wide areas than from the central zones he occupied.
After starring against Wolves on his Premier League debut, Tijjani Reijnders is yet to hit the same heights for both club and country.
The former AC Milan livewire’s quality cannot be disputed but it seems like he is undergoing a rough patch for the time being.
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Voetbal Primeur believe that is the case, as they handed Reijnders a 5.5/10 match rating despite Lithuania’s loss to Netherlands: “Wasn’t particularly good against Poland and couldn’t distinguish himself in Lithuania either. Dutch national team fans haven’t seen his Manchester City form during the recent international break. That conclusion is certainly valid.”
Memphis Depay and Tijjani Reijnders celebrate during Lithuania v Holland
Photo by Roy Lazet/Soccrates/Getty Images
Football Oranje were not much kinder to Manchester City’s number four either, as they feel he had his most disappointing game for his country against the Lithuanians: “Probably his worst performance for the Netherlands. Barely got involved before going off after an hour.”
While even VL gave Reijnders, who Nathan Ake admires a 5.5/10 match rating after his showing for the Netherlands against Lithuania.
Pep Guardiola may be worried about Tijjani Reijnders’ display during Lithuania vs Netherlands
It’s safe to say that the Zwolle-born sensation had a game to forget.
From Pep Guardiola’s perspective, he may be worried that Reijnders has struggled to impose himself against both Poland and Lithuania for the Netherlands in successive games.
After the international break, Manchester City are set to face Manchester United and Arsenal, two big games where the Dutchman is likely to start.
The Manchester Derby in particular will demand Reijnders to be at his brilliant best as the contest is somewhat of a must-win for a City side who have two out of their first three games.
As much as Guardiola admires Reijnders, results are paramount for him.
With that being the case, the Catalan will be hoping that the player returns to the Etihad Stadium with a point to prove and ups his game.