“We improved after Chukwueze came on,” Milan coach hails Super Eagles star after win

• Tijjani Reijnders scored twice to help AC Milan secure a 3-1 win over 10-man Club Brugge in their Champions League opener at the San Siro
• AC Milan coach Fonseca acknowledges Super Eagles Chukwueze's impact in the win over Club Brugge
• Raphael Onyedika's first-half red card left Brugge at a disadvantage, but they still managed to equalise before Reijnders' decisive strikes

Dutch playmaker Tijjani Reijnders lit up AC Milan’s Champions League opener with a brace, steering the Rossoneri to a 3-1 triumph over Club Brugge at the San Siro. The Dutch midfielder delivered two exquisite finishes in the 61st and 71st minutes, rescuing Milan after an intense encounter with the Belgian side. 

Milan’s Christian Pulisic’s stunning opener from a corner in the 34th minute did little to deter a determined Brugge side but despite the latter’s resilience through Kyriani Sabbe’s equaliser six minutes after the break, Milan secured the much-needed three points.

After Nigerian forward Raphael Onyedika was shown a red card for an unfortunate stamp on Reijnders' ankle, Club Brugge fought valiantly with ten men, but Reijnders' classy second-half goals were just insurmountable.

Notably, the victory also saw the stellar performance of 16-year-old Francesco Camarda, whose disallowed goal for offside would have made him the youngest scorer in Champions League history. 

Milan’s win, however, sets them up for a tough upcoming fixture against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.

After the match, Fonseca admitted: 

“I think we played without intensity, the ball circulation was too slow, and we didn't understand how to play against a team that defends deep. When Okafor and Chukwueze came on, the game changed; they brought fresh energy, and the team gained intensity. After the second goal, we did some really good things, but before that, we played without intensity.”

Fonseca also downplayed the substitution of his star man Rafael Leao after Brugge went down by a player,

“There is no specific problem with him. The substitution wasn't a punishment; we needed Okafor and Chukwueze. It should be seen as normal, and Rafa should see it as normal and work to help the team like all the players. Our intention was the same, even with 11 versus 11. We need to do better. I think we weren't aggressive until the second goal. After that, yes. We need to be a more aggressive team.”

The coach further boasted of his decision to bring in Super Eagles star,

“I think we improved with the addition of Okafor and Chukwueze. But we improved a lot when Pulisic moved inside and wasn't playing on the wing. Honestly, Pulisic on the wing doesn't have the same influence as when he plays inside, and when we made that change, the team was different.”

Popular Chelsea defender reportedly eyeing Super Eagles switch

Previously, TheRadar reported that as whispers grow louder about Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo potentially switching his international allegiance from England to Nigeria, interim Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen has spoken out. 

The 27-year-old defender, born in England to Nigerian parents, has represented England at youth levels but is yet to break into Gareth Southgate’s senior squad. With his omission from the Euros squad, Adarabioyo may be reconsidering his options, making the switch to Nigeria seem increasingly likely.