France secured two wins and two clean sheets over the international break and they have Mike Maignan to thank for that.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) writes how Maignan has now become an immovable starter in Didier Deschamps’ national team too following the retirement from Hugo Lloris, and he has instantly begun repaying that trust.
He saved a penalty from Memphis Depay on Friday night as Les Bleus beat the Netherlands 4-0, but his full-stretch stop to deny Collins at the end of the 1-0 win over Ireland in Dublin last night was something special.
The match effectively ended with this save and after the referee’s whistle all the French team went to embrace and thank Maignan who quite literally saved the result and the three points.
Coach Deschamps also praised him after the match: “It wasn’t easy for him to come after Lloris, but he gives us strength.” A save like that is worth a goal and even the Milan fans know it well, because they are used to seeing such heroics.
