Maignan, not just saves: Milan enjoy the free-kick

For Milan, it’s a return that counts for two. Mike Maignan, star against Tottenham, has been expected for five months. In the meantime, because he is a number one between the posts. And then, because he is also a number 12. A sort of twelfth man, who for Pioli’s team acts as an added free on the pitch.

With you

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The importance of Maignan, from the day of his return (February 26 against Atalanta) was evident. Antonio Conte, the defeated opponent in Europe, also confirmed it: “These two weeks have allowed Milan to recover a player like the goalkeeper, who is very important to them. In addition to the saves, when you go to press, he has the personality of always find the right play. Many times he skips pressing or plays a ball on Giroud. And when Giroud takes the ball and Leao attacks the space, it can be difficult.” Reading keys.

Goalkeeper-free

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The Frenchman got his hands on the passage to the quarterfinals with a decisive intervention on Kane’s header, in full recovery, but not only. Postcard qualification aside, his presence was felt throughout the race. Maignan, among the top in the role, is one of the most advanced goalkeepers in Italy and in Europe for positioning in the possession phase. A “sweeper-keeper”, a free-kick. Often on the edge of his area, leader and guide of the defence. If necessary, adviser to his teammates for the best play. his five months of absence were heavy for the Rossoneri, even in the construction phase: many of the 613 balls played by Milan against Spurs passed, in a reasoned manner, from his feet.

Heavy interventions

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Maignan is essential as a man of movement because he allows more freedom for his teammates in defence, but his role remains fundamental between the posts. In addition to the 17 clean sheets of last Serie A (added to the 21 of the season as champion of France with Lille), this year he has already put his mark with important interventions. Staying with Europe, the reference is to the first away match in Salzburg, where it was decisive to protect a precious 1-1. For Serie A, his strength was evident in the first leg derby against Inter (a couple of super saves, on Lautaro Martinez’s two-step header and on a nice right-footed shot from outside the former Calhanoglu) and against Atalanta in August (prodigious response to Zapata’s header), again important for defending the final draw. Heavy matches, which could mean a lot for the championship in the race for the next Champions League.

New arrangement

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The Rossoneri number 16 immediately immersed himself in a new context. After a long injury, he found a revolutionized defensive set-up (3 or 5, depending on the moment of the game), different from the old back four. He responded in his own way and with personality, with feet and boxing gloves. After all, Pioli himself had hinted at his state of mind and form towards the return against the Goddess: “It’s a lion in a cage”. Against Tottenham he roared again.