AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has stated that there is no time to feel any emotions in the current difficult moment and instead all focus must be on putting in better performances on the field.
The game against PSG will carry a bit of extra meaning for Maignan and not just because of the fact that he had to pick the ball out of his net three times during the meeting in the French capital last month.
Maignan actually played in the various levels of the youth sector at PSG before being promoted to the first team in 2013, the year in which he signed his first professional contract with the Parisians. However, he chose to join Lille in 2015 due to a lack of playing time, before ending up at Milan.
Therefore, he would surely love to get one over on his old club by keeping a clean sheet and hoping that the Rossoneri’s attack can spark into life, because a win is near enough a necessity.
Maignan was present alongside Stefano Pioli for the pre-match press conference which took place after training at Milanello this afternoon, and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.
This is your third Champions League campaign with Milan…
“We’re working to react and regain our level. We started slowly, but we want to do well in the next three games.”
How do you beat PSG?
“They are a strong team, but so are we. We have to put what we know how to do on the field. We are playing in our home country and we have to give everything.”
What are Milan missing and what advice do you have for your team-mates?
“I talk to the coach and my teammates about what I see on the pitch. We need to rediscover our confidence, our determination and what we know how to do.”
How will you experience tomorrow’s match after the jeers on Saturday?
“There is no room for emotions now. We have to give our best, play like Milan. There are no emotions, we have to play our football.”
What is your opinion on Donnarumma and what do you think will happen tomorrow?
“Tomorrow’s welcome will be very warm. I think he is an excellent goalkeeper, he started the season well, he is a top class goalkeeper and he proves it in every match.”
What do you think of the start to the season and what can you give to the team to get them out of their negative moment?
“It’s not a bad start to the season. The best is yet to come. My role is to stop the opponents’ attacks and give everyone confidence.”
Do you feel like the new Ibra in the dressing room?
“I am Mike and Ibra is Ibra. I am a natural leader, I give the best of me. We lost Ibra, who was a leader, but this team has other leaders. I have a lot of respect for him, but the past is the past.”
Are you already talking to the club about staying for many more years?
“I like being here. We haven’t started talking because I think it’s not the ideal moment for both me and the club.”
Is the Yashin award and becoming the first goalkeeper of the modern era to win the Ballon d’Or an aim for you?
“When there are goals, you have to be strong in the head to win everything. I always want to win and if I can win those prizes, I won’t hold back.”
In the first leg you ‘drew’ against Mbappé, letting one in but saving one. Do you want to be the protagonist again tomorrow?
“It’s 1-1 for you, we lost 3-0. I work to make those saves. I always have to do my best.”
“I am Mike and Ibra is Ibra. I am a natural leader, I give the best of me. We lost Ibra, who was a leader, but this team has other leaders. I have a lot of respect for him, but the past is the past”
Interesting 🤔. I wonder even if the players want Ibra back. If I were then I’d like to think I could win a title on “my own” rather than owing it to another figure every time