Milan Keeper Mike Maignan Faces Month-Long Spell on Sidelines

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has picked up a calf injury that will keep him on the sidelines for about a month while away on international duty with France. The highly-rated shot-stopper was between the sticks as Les Bleus defeated Austria 2-0 in a must-win Nations League fixture on Thursday.

However, Maignan had to leave the post at halftime, with Alphonse Areola taking his place. The 28-year-old keeper has been released from the national team after sustaining an injury, having already headed back to Italy to undergo treatment. As confirmed by the French Football Federation, he was allowed to return to Milan for further checks. 

The former Lille man was a key figure as the Rossoneri won their first Scudetto in over a decade last season. His absence from several 2022/23 Serie A matches almost cost Milan dearly, and they’ll hope it won’t be the case this time around. Meanwhile, Maignan took to Twitter to send a message to the San Siro faithful.

We go so hard until we fall, just make sure you don’t get in the way back,” he wrote. 

Maignan is not the first Milan player to suffer a fitness problem during the ongoing international break. His compatriot Theo Hernandez has already moved back to base without taking part in training with the national team. Sandro Tonali skipped Italy’s game against England after being unable to train with the rest of the group. 

So the problems are mounting on Stefano Pioli ahead of his side’s crunch Champions League doubleheader against Chelsea. With Maignan and Hernandez unavailable for selection, Milan will take on fellow group favorites significantly weakened at the back.