Milan cruised past Sassuolo 3-0 on the season-deciding final matchday to wrap up their first Serie A title since 2010/11. Though Sandro Tonali, Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud have stolen the show down the final stretch, the Rossoneri defenders deserve as much credit for this resounding success.
It has been a season to remember for the Milan fans. Eleven years since Massimiliano Allegri’s star-studded squad won the last Scudetto, Stefano Pioli‘s kindergarten crew has sent the Rossoneri faithful into ecstasy.
What a season it has been for all Milan players. From Gianluigi Donnarumma’s heir Mike Maignan to never-ageing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, all of Pioli’s lads have been spot on from day one up until this final moment.
No one can deny that Leao’s dazzling performances and Giroud’s all-important goals have had a decisive impact on the Scudetto race. However, what has really made the difference? We believe it’s been Milan’s rock-solid backline.
For years, Milan had been one of the worst-performing defensive teams in Serie A. You don’t have to look beyond their humiliating 5-0 defeat at Atalanta in December 2019 to understand the extent of Milan’s defensive problems over the years.
When Donnarumma decided to call time on his San Siro career and move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer, many had thought Milan might endure another leaky campaign. But, former Lille goalkeeper Maignan proved a much better solution between the sticks.
In his maiden Serie A campaign, the Frenchman has soaked up the limelight as the best shot-stopper in Italy’s top division. With Maignan in goal, Milan have conceded just 31 goals this Serie A season, their best defensive record since 2010/11.
During an interview with Sky Calcio Club, ex-Lazio keeper Luca Marchegiani recognised Maignan’s class, heaping praise on the new Milan hero.
“They identified the characteristics they wanted: confident, personality, strong with his feet, where Donnarumma impressed less. For Maignan, I’d say nine!” he said, as relayed by TUTTOmercatoWEB.