Tijjani Reijnders made sure AC Milan got their UEFA Champions League campaign up and running with a decisive brace in Tuesday's (Oct 22) 3-1 win over 10-man Club Brugge at the San Siro. Netherlands midfielder Reijnders stroked home two fine finishes in the 61st and 71st minutes to give Milan their first points in this year's revamped competition.
Before Reijnders struck Milan had struggled to deal with Brugge, who had levelled Christian Pulisic's opening goal – netted straight from a 34th-minute corner – through Kyriani Sabbe six minutes after the break.
At that point Brugge, who are also on three points, were down to 10 men as Raphael Onyedika was shown a straight red card in the 40th minute for accidentally stamping on Reijnders' ankle.
Reijnders' two goals, both classy first-time strikes, were almost outshone by a beautiful late header from 16-year-old Francesco Camarda.
The promising youngster whipped off his shirt and slid on his knees in joy at becoming the youngest ever goalscorer in the history of the Champions League, only to see his superbly taken goal rightly ruled for offside.
Tuesday's win was big for Milan as the seven-time European champions have to travel to Real Madrid in their next continental fixture and anything but three points at the San Siro could have put at risk their qualification for the knockout phase.
