#mike-maignan

#mike-maignan

Usually a decisive MVP-worthy performance from your captain to win a derby is only positive. For AC Milan with Mike Maignan, though, there is a bit more nuance to things. Make no mistake about it, what Maignan did on Sunday night in the 1-0 win over Inter was something that will be talked about for years to come. Wearing the armband, he produced not just one but multiple match-winning contributions, in addition to Christian Pulisic's goal of course.

Milan's goalkeeping coach is renowned for a long career at the highest level having spent 15 years at Juventus, and now he has brought his expertise to Allegri again. Filippi uses tools of the trade such as a ball-shooting machine and a hard plastic shield (designed and marketed by the coach himself) which helps manually deflect crosses and shots, as happens in matches.

Lorenzo Torriani has admitted that he dreams of one day being able to start a derby for AC Milan, while reflecting on his growth to now. Torriani's rise through the Milan youth sector has understandably made him dream about the biggest nights. He got a taste of one last season, coming on against Liverpool in the Champions League after Mike Maignan went off with an injury in an eventual 3-1 loss.

Mike Maignan perhaps believes that he could play outfield at times, and the latest video from the France camp certainly helps his cause. Maignan is no ordinary goalkeeper and in training, he consistently demonstrates the ability that he ha with the ball at his feet, just as he has done for Milan on many occasions with assists via his long-range passing.

Mike Maignan was persuaded to stay during the summer transfer window, and now appears to be back to his best. La Gazzetta dello Sport begin an analysis on Maignan with of the most impressive stats of the season: the French goalkeeper went from first to last in Serie A for defensive interventions outside the box. In 2024-25, he made 71, and for context Sommer at Inter made 17.

"There's competition [for Nkunku]. If everyone is available, I have to make some choices. Nkunku has had some injuries, and he's changed teams. He needs to find consistency, and that's not easy with injuries. "He's capable of playing in different attacking positions, centrally, but also on the flank. He has volume, technical mastery. He's quite skilled in front of the goal."