Milan captain Mike Maignan has come under heavy criticism following his dismissal in Thursday’s 3-0 Europa League defeat to Bournemouth. According to Calciomercato.it, the goalkeeper’s conduct has sparked intense debate among supporters.
The Frenchman saw red in the 27th minute after putting both hands to Tyler Adams’ face during a corner kick. Referee Fotis Fotias immediately sent him off and awarded Bournemouth a penalty, leaving Milan with a mountain to climb.
The decision proved costly for Ruben Amorim’s side, who had already fallen behind and subsequently conceded a second goal before half-time. Milan ultimately suffered a damaging defeat, with Maignan’s moment of madness becoming one of the main talking points after the final whistle.
The Rossoneri captain also attracted criticism for leaving the stadium without addressing the media or apologizing to supporters after the match. However, his subsequent comments offered a deeper insight into the incident.
Our take on Milan & Maignan
Maignan insisted that he had not acted intentionally. The star goalkeeper explained that he simply wanted to create space in his area. He nevertheless acknowledged that his actions had sent the wrong message, particularly to younger fans watching the game.
Maignan also defended his character, stressing that the club, coaching staff, and teammates understood his intentions and knew what kind of captain he was. Maignan will miss Milan’s upcoming Europa League fixture against Ferencvaros following his dismissal, while the disciplinary authorities could impose further punishment.
The 31-year-old will be available for Sunday’s Serie A trip to Udinese, giving him an immediate opportunity to respond on the pitch. With a midweek league fixture against Bologna and the Milan derby approaching, Amorim’s men cannot afford another setback as pressure continues to mount.