AC Milan are facing a crucial decision as uncertainty grows around the future of Mike Maignan, with several European clubs closely monitoring his situation. According to Calciomercato, clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Juventus are all keeping a close watch as the French international enters the final six months of his contract at AC Milan. Maignan, now 30, has been one of Milan's most important players since arriving from Lille, establishing himself as one of Europe's elite goalkeepers.
Mike Maignan was pivotal to the latest derby win; he made countless saves, but the biggest was from 12 yards, where he stopped former Rossonero Hakan Calhanoglu. Penalty saves are rare, but this was not a case of getting lucky. Fate not fortune Gazzetta dello Sport writes that the save was not left to chance, and he did three things to prevent the Turkish midfielder from scoring. As Calhanoglu prepared, Maignan changed his own tactics, protesting the penalty a little, rather than what he had done in the past. Calm, present and ready to face what the opposition had to give to him. Different from trying to put him off, placing the pressure on the taker.
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.
