In the game against Juventus, AC Milan are set to do something that not many teams do and that is to use four different goalkeepers in a season.
As Calciomercato.com recall, Milan have already used Mike Maignan, Marco Sportiello, Oliver Giroud in that role in 2023-24 so far and on Sunday evening they will appear at San Siro in front of Juventus with Antonio Mirante between the posts.
The 40-year-old returns to the starting line-up for the first time in a Serie A game in two years, and in a big match against Juventus, the club where he played in 2006-07.
Seven days that could have changed things elapsed from the expiry of Mirante’s contract on 30 June 2023 to his one-year renewal until June 2024 with Milan. Mirante could have hung up his gloves and will now be a starter in the showpiece game of the weekend.
Mirante convinced the Rossoneri management with an always proactive attitude and he trained with the hunger of a player with a lot to prove, despite having over 300 games to his name.
His excellent relationship with Pioli was the key to earning a new contract that was anything but a given, especially given that Milan’s initial idea was to bring Lapo Nava to the first team.
The 2004-born goalkeeper went through the entire youth system and was a starter for the Primavera with whom he managed to reach the to the semi-finals of the last UEFA Youth League.
For a young player, playing regularly is always better to grow and improve. However, the choice fell on Mirante’s experience and that was why the decision was made to renew him, a request granted by Pioli.
He is deemed as useful for the dressing room and for the UEFA squad lists, at least until yesterday when the shock of the calf injury suffered by Sportiello arrived. Now, he will have to contribute in a more conventional way.
If we are going to cut Mirante loose, why aren’t we starting him in goal against Juve? If we believe in Nava, then start him and back him. Invaluable experience for the youngster.
Pioli’s unwillingness to give minutes to the likes of Simic, Bartesaghi, Nava and the likes can be frustrating.
I see him do well ,let him start the game and hope he does not get injured during the game