Pioli calls Maignan ‘a lion in a cage’ and confirms his return
Milan’s French goalkeeper Mike Maignan is back fit again after being injured in September.
AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has confirmed the return of
Mike Maignan, who will be making his first appearance since September.
Maignan has been out due to a calf injury, having lost a chance to represent France in the World Cup. Ciprian Tatarusanu has been filling in for the French goalkeeper.
"Mike will play,"
Pioli said at Saturday's pre-match press conference.
"Tata did his duty fully. He struggled in the beginning because he hadn't played for a long time, then he found rhythm and made a good contribution. He hasn't been very well lately.
"Mike has been a lion in a cage, he's doing well and is very motivated, he will certainly give us a great contribution. He was the best goalkeeper last season and he gives us a lot.
"However, he is a player who hasn't played for five months. He will need some time, but we are expecting a lot and I am very happy with his return."
Maignan was a key part of
Milan’s scudetto-winning season when he kept 17 clean sheets in 32 appearances last season. He boasted a 79.41% save percentage which was only second to Torino’s Etrit Berisha.
Asked whether the 41-year-old's long-awaited comeback could arrive on Sunday, Pioli said:
"It could, the first call I made with him was to get him back with the group against Torino.
"Ibra is getting better and better. He knows how much he worked and suffered to be available again. Now he's available, he's ready to play."
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