Milan, Maignan apologizes: 'My gesture was not intentional'

"My gesture was not intentional. Like all goalkeepers and like in every match, I wanted to create space for myself in my area. Unfortunately, this gave a bad image, especially to the young spectators who watch us": AC Milan captain Mike Maignan makes a mea culpa on social networks in the aftermath of the direct sending off that forced AC Milan to play an hour numerically inferior against Bournemouth in the Europa League.

In the 27th minute, the Rossoneri goalkeeper gave Tyler Adams a thump. A gesture that did not highlight malice or aggression, but certainly naive and inexplicable for a player of Maignan's experience. "The club, the staff and my teammates know what kind of person and what kind of captain I am. They know my intentions and giving up is never part of it. For the rest, we are used to the interpretations given by some people and certain media", explains the Frenchman who did not appear in front of the cameras after the match to comment on the incident.

The fact remains that the goalkeeper's expulsion and the resulting penalty compromised Milan's already difficult match. Maignan will certainly not be there against Ferencváros at San Siro, then the sports judge will wait. He will be regularly on the pitch against Udinese al Friuli, a historically difficult stadium for the Frenchman. But it's all of Milan that has to give an answer on Sunday evening. The Europa League performance can't just be traced back to Maignan's mistake.

There was a lack of determination, hunger and also organisation, perhaps due to a convincing training choice. The Rossoneri team is called to win to demonstrate that it was just an episode, an accident decided by individual situations. Also because then there is Bologna in midweek and the derby next week. We need full loot to get to the most anticipated match of the season, the one against Inter on the night of the witches.