MN: Maignan returns with confidence after France heroics – Milan hope for upturn in form | OneFootball

While the international break can be seen as a nuisance in terms of interrupting momentum, sometimes it can see players return in better form.

As MilanNews writes, after France qualified for the UEFA Nations League Final Four, the French media headlines were all about Mike Maignan who was decisive in Sunday’s match against Croatia, saving two penalties in the shootout.

Adding to this is the penalty saved by the Milan goalkeeper in the first leg that allowed Deschamps’ team to lose ‘only’ by two goals (the score was 0-0 at the time he stopped Kramaric’s spot kick as well), it was a very positive break.

After the game Kylian Mbappé praised Maignan in an interview with TF1: “We know we have a goalkeeper who makes the difference in penalties, so we are at an advantage.” His comments were followed up by those of Didier Deschamps, the head coach.

“The French national team players know very well that Mike is very efficient on penalties. He has that quality, so much the better. It is a technical ability. He is a goalkeeper who played well in this penalty shootout, we owe him the qualification. It would have been frustrating to lose because before we had the opportunity to have a bigger gap.”

Sergio Conceicao will be happy to watch the performances of the former Lille goalkeeper and now hope that he can return to being decisive for the Rossoneri, in the Coppa Italia final four and in the push for a top four spot.

So far, it would be fair to say that Maignan has not lived up to expectations in 2024-25, but there are still several games to play (11 or 12 with the possible Coppa Italia final) and two important objectives to achieve to save the season, both for the team and individually.