Mike Maignan has been the guardian of AC Milan’s goal for two and a half seasons now, and his growth to becoming one of the leaders in the squad continues.
La Gazzetta dello Sport recall how Milan’s victory against Roma also came thanks to Maignan who made a great intervention to deny Celik at a delicate moment of the game, which is just the latest in a series of big stops.
Maignan has accustomed the San Siro crowd to being one of the few in the team capable of shifting the balance and deciding games on his own, something not to be taken for granted given he is a goalkeeper.
That being said, this season there have been some mistakes for a goalkeeper of his level, but Maignan confirmed to Milan that they can count on him when needed. In the most important matches and in delicate moments, he has responded often and willingly.
This happened against Frosinone, when he made a one-on-one save to deny Cuni before getting an assist for Christian Pulisic’s goal with a 60-metre long ball.
Among his specialties there is also that of turning into a playmaker and sending his team-mates towards goal, as he did against Sampdoria in August 2021 but also in January 2022 against the same opponent.
He has often been spoken of as a ‘sweeper-keeper’ – i.e. a libero goalkeeper – often on the edge of the area, the leader and guide of the defence even when there is no need to use gloves.
His advice has been very useful in the recent period, with the opportunities given by Pioli to young players like Alex Jimenez, Jan-Carlo Simic and Davide Bartesaghi, reassured by his presence and frequent indications.
The save that stands out from Maignan is the one that came in the 96th minute of the match against Fiorentina, won 1-0 at San Siro. The Frenchman, already the protagonist of a result-saving stop against Beltran, thwarted Mandragora from close range.
More recently in the 2-2 draw against Salernitana he was decisive stopping a volley under the crossbar following Mazzocchi’s shot from outside the area.
Magic Mike’s influence extends beyond Italy though, and he arguably kept Milan in Europe by making a brilliant save on Bruno Guimaraes during the away win against Newcastle when the game was 1-1.
It was manifesto of his importance for Milan: always being there, when it counts.
I wouldn’t say he’s priceless though 🤭😂😂😂Georgie definitely has a price 🤣
Also, thank you for the great work while you were with us Mike. Was a pleasure seeing you in goal for us
He has priced him sell out already. He didn’t sign the extension when Growth Decree was still alive and therefore there is zero percent chance of him getting the money he wants. He will leave in the summer. And that’s a fact.
One important correction:
“He has priced him sell out already. He didn’t sign the extension when Growth Decree was still alive and therefore there is zero percent chance of him getting the money he wants FROM MILAN.”
Yeah Yeah Yeah, Leão also would certainly leave us on the last summer, btw he was already sold, indeed… 😂🙄😂
Well, as always, nobody here really knows, we’ll see in the future.
Yea…. Mike’s gone buddy lol 😂
Regarding MM16. Do you think the current management will let him leave for 0 euros like the ones WHO WERE FIRED? Nope. H*ck no. They will sell MM16 while they still get money for him.
And no, they’re not going to give him 8M€ net and pay 16M€ per year to keep him.