Mike Maignan was reportedly expected to return in the first match versus Tottenham, but that won’t be the case. The goalkeeper will remain sidelined Tuesday. The second clash, on March 8th, is more realistic to see him between the sticks, Corriere della Sera informs.
The absence of the shot-stopper further added to Milan’s 2023 woes. They have won just once in eight matches, drawing twice and losing five times. They have allowed 19 goals, coming apart defensively against Sassuolo and Lazio.
Maignan last played on September 18th. He first strained the gastrocnemius muscle and then the soleus one in October when he was about to come back. He didn’t heal during the World Cup break as widely imagined. The Rossoneri attempted to bring in a more reliable backup goalie, Marco Sportiello, but Atalanta rebuffed them. They settled for the unproven Devis Vasquez, who hasn’t played yet.
According to the publication, the Frenchman hasn’t been able to jump in five months. He experienced discomfort every time he tried to ramp up. One of the problems is that, hoping to speed up his recovery to go to Qatar, he turned to a physiotherapist that was supposed to be a wizard with muscular issues. However, his unusual methods didn’t work, and he was back to square one afterward.
Pioli discussed Maignan in the presser before facing Torino.
“His recovery is going well. He’s practicing on the pitch but not yet with the team. The latest tests indicate that the scar tissue is working, which gives us hope. We don’t know when he’ll return yet, whether it’ll be in a week or two, but he’s doing better.”
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