In the six big matches this season against Juventus, Inter, Napoli, Roma, Bologna and Atalanta, Milan have conceded only two goals, eight in total. This shows the group’s new attitude, focused and compact with a strong drive to close matches with a clean sheet.
A complete change from six months ago when games started with an advantage for opponents because of serious defensive lapses. Much credit goes to Mike Maignan. The French goalkeeper is back at the level he showed in the 2021–22 title season. Beyond the two penalties saved against specialists like Paulo Dybala and Hakan Calhanoglu, the Milan captain is in top physical and mental form, he leads the squad with clear authority built on daily work and a mindset that pushes him to raise the bar every match.
Behind every top-level save there is hours of detailed study and preparation – the same obsessive approach you see in the very best professionals, whether it’s a goalkeeper analysing penalty patterns or a seller using a cutting-edge Amazon repricer to react instantly to market moves
Why Mike Maignan is performing like the best goalkeeper in the world again:
Since his arrival, Maignan has worked with six different goalkeeper coaches in four years. For a perfectionist like him this was the worst scenario in the hunt for peak performance and improvement. His best year was 2021–22 with Dida, Ragno and Betti. The next year Flavio Roma replaced Dida for one season before passing the role to the Englishman Anthony Roberts. Last season he had two more coaches, Ferreira brought by Fonseca and Figueredo brought by Conceicao. Allegri fixed the structure and brought in a top figure, Claudio Filippi. The trust between Filippi and Maignan is strong and this could matter. Former Lazio goalkeeper Marchegiani spoke about Filippi on Sky, saying: “Claudio Filippi, Maignan’s current coach, was mine at Chievo in the year I saved five consecutive penalties. His method is extremely precise, he studies opponents in detail and prepares you to anticipate their decisions. Behind a save there is study and preparation, not only a goalkeeper’s instinct.”
Igli Tare is making his move to try to convince AC Milan star Mike Maignan:
Maignan is the most discussed player of the past 48 hours because his contract is expiring and his derby display showed he is still among the best in the world. Milan fans want the club to renew his deal, he is also the captain. The squad feels the same. They see him as the leader to follow. Talks between his camp and Giorgio Furlani have been frozen for months, ever since the club failed to fulfil the promise of a new contract worth five million last January. Tare arrived with the situation already compromised, but backed by Allegri he will try to reopen the dialogue with Maignan and his agents. The task is difficult but not impossible.
Premier League side Chelsea and Serie A rivals Juventus are reportedly interested:
Right now the chances of seeing Maignan in goal for Milan next season are slim, close to zero. Last summer he reached an agreement with Chelsea, which puts the London club ahead of the many Premier League sides interested. Talks are ongoing and this is a path to follow because Mike wants to play in the Premier League next season, a challenge that appeals to him. Juventus are also strongly interested and exploratory contacts have taken place, although it remains a complicated option. Milan know they have a small margin and will try to make their move.
