Maignan: ‘These moments can happen in a career’ | OneFootball

Mike Maignan admits his recent errors are ‘moments that can happen during a career, but I have to stay positive’ going into Milan’s Champions League decider with Feyenoord.

The goalkeeper’s howler in the opening minutes of the first leg in Rotterdam proved decisive, as he let the Igor Paixao effort squirm into the net for the 1-0 defeat.

He ran the genuine risk of doing it again this evening in the 1-0 Serie A victory over Hellas Verona, as he fumbled a hopeful long-range strike over the bar.

“These are moments that can happen during a career, but the important thing is that I have to stay positive and keep working,” Maignan told Sky Sport Italia.

“It irritates me that certain errors make the team lose, but I have to stay positive and confident.”

Maignan wants more grit from Milan

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Rafael Leao and Alex Jimenez of AC Milan are pictured talking during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Verona at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 15, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Milan struggled to break Verona down at San Siro this evening, needing a moment of magic from Rafael Leao to set up the Santiago Gimenez header.

“It was important to win for the league table, as we need to climb back up. These are difficult matches and every point is crucial.”

Now the focus turns to the second leg of the Champions League play-off, as Feyenoord come to San Siro on Tuesday night with that 1-0 advantage.

“We must call on the grit that we didn’t have in Holland. We’re playing at home, we’ve got to give everything and win,” continued Maignan.

The goalkeeper has become the captain now with the departure of Davide Calabria to Bologna in the January transfer window, so how is he helping the team settle with new coach Sergio Conceicao?

“There is a good rapport with the coach. He just asked me to do what I do best, nothing more.”