Champions, Maignan boss: he plays the European Championship that takes Milan to the quarterfinals

From our correspondent Nino Minoliti

March 9th
– London

Mike Maignan took Milan back and led them to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. On the wings of the Magic Eagle, the Rossoneri landed safely where they hadn’t landed for 11 years, which in terms of football is an eternity. The French goalkeeper experienced one of the most difficult seasons of his career this year: two consecutive injuries kept him away from the fields for 161 days, during which the most imaginative hoaxes were unleashed on the causes that forced him to the pits. Then, finally, the great moment arrived: against Atalanta he returned to occupying that goal that he had defended so well in the Scudetto season that he earned the title of best goalkeeper in Serie A. His very strong personality made itself felt immediately: the Milan has not only rediscovered its millimeter long-range shots, but also charisma and confidence right in the physical place where the strongest nerves are needed.

Olympic calm

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And last night, in the splendid arena that is Tottenham’s new home, that Olympic calm really made itself felt: never an indecision, never a hasty or even worse, wrong choice. Mike was ready, indeed very ready, every time Antonio Conte’s men approached his side: in the first half he put his foot on Harry Kane’s shot deflected dangerously by Thiaw. In the second half he raised his big hands to deflect a Hojbjerg shot over the bar. But it was in injury time that he surpassed himself, with an intervention like an authentic champion, when he lay down to deflect another great header from Kane: Conte, disconsolate, observing the flight of the Magic Eagle, spread his arms, as if recognize that against someone like that there was nothing to do. In between, safe exits, very precise footholds at a distance of thirty or forty meters, personalities to spare in the middle of the area which was becoming more and more clogged. Finally, when referee Turpin gave the three whistles, all his joy exploded, like that of his teammates, the bench, the three thousand and more Rossoneri fans who had decided to invest money and passion in the London away match, believing in the guys from Via Pioli, who didn’t betray them. Speaking of Pioli, the hug that the coach exchanged with Maignan was nice, both overjoyed.

Wall

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But together with that of Maignan, it is right to recall all the overall performance of the “red and black wall”, as confirmed here too by the Milan defense. With the tenacity of Fik Tomori, who didn’t give Kane and the other English forwards who were passing by his side. The energy of Pierre Kalulu, who despite his 22 years played with the wisdom of a veteran and did practically nothing wrong. With the excellent performance of twenty-one-year-old Malick Thiaw, who quickly forgot the uncertainties of Florence, putting all his physicality at the service of a department that was once again impervious to punctures and who, net of the away game against Viola, in the previous four matches, between the league and Cup, had not conceded a single goal. Without forgetting the overwhelming performance of Theo Hernandez, who in addition to defending with precision and authority gave a lot to do to his neighbors on the left wing, so much so as to force Cuti Romero to yet another foul, resulting in a red card for a second yellow card. And speaking of defence, the applause of Gigio Donnarumma also arrived, who even on the bitter evening of his PSG’s elimination against Bayern remembered his old teammates: “Great signal for Italian football, I congratulate the Milan”.

Sweet finish

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Milan’s night, the night of nights, the one that alone was worth more than half a season, ends in the sweetest way. And the Milan supporters who have to wait a long time inside the stadium before being able to leave, in reality they would never want to leave. Since yesterday evening, London has returned to the album of the best memories of a club which, in particular in this event, made football history and which in this very city, 60 years ago, won its first Champions Cup. From today we can start again with renewed confidence, Milan are back and can give the green light to dreams from now on.