Mike Maignan’s slap shattered two certainties

There are saves that are more decisive than others, which have an almost talismanic effect on the match and the opposition. In the 33rd minute of Milan v Inter, it seemed as though the Nerazzurri’s equaliser was only a matter of moments away. Inter were playing well, regularly occupying the Milan penalty area and sending in a barrage of crosses that almost always met with little resistance from the Rossoneri defenders. Milan were struggling; their two-goal lead could have been wiped out at any moment, and the difficulties evident throughout the first half of the season were beginning to feel like a source of regret.

In the 33rd minute, Carlos Augusto crossed into the centre of the penalty area; Koni de Winter missed it, and the ball flew straight towards the feet of Djed Spence, who had cut inside towards the Rossoneri goal, completely ignored by Sankhoun Diawara. The French defender shows a glimmer of awareness at the very last possible moment and somehow manages to block his opponent just as he is about to shoot. Diawara manages to get a touch on the ball, sending it on a treacherous, unexpected trajectory. All this takes place some six and a half metres from the Rossoneri goalkeeper.

Mike Maignan is well positioned, in the best possible spot. But he was ready to dive to his left, whilst the ball hurtles towards the net on his right. In the stands at San Siro, a twofold certainty becomes apparent: the Inter fans were ready to celebrate the equaliser, whilst the Milan fans were set to despair at a two-goal lead thrown away. That dual certainty vanished in an instant. Because Mike Maignan did what no one could have anticipated. He found a balance that is hard to achieve, raised his right hand and intercepted the ball. And not only did he manage to do this, he also managed to tip it over the crossbar. A save that not only preserved the ball but also the match, giving Milan the reassurance that they are in excellent hands. Once again.

 

1. Mike Maignan in the 33rd minute of Milan v Inter 3–1 – 5 points

2. Guglielmo Vicario in the 7th minute of Juventus v Napoli 2–0 – 3 points

3. Filip Stanković in the 24th minute of Como v Venezia 1–0 – 1 point

1. David De Gea (Fiorentina), 13 points
2. Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone), Filip Stanković (Venezia), 12 points
4. Mike Maignan (Milan), 11 points
5. Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus), 9 points
6. Chrīstos Mandas (Lazio), 8 points
7. Vanja Milinković-Savić (Napoli), 6 points
8. Wladimiro Falcone (Lecce), 5 points
9. Justin Bijlow (Genoa), 4 points
10. Edoardo Corvi (Parma), Josep Martínez (Inter), Alex Meret (Napoli), Maduka Okoye (Udinese), Lucas Perri (Torino), 3 points
15. Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Pierluigi Gollini (Roma), 1 point

 

What you have just read is "Guanti sporchi", a light-hearted football-themed piece about Serie A’s number ones and the save that somehow made the football weekend all the better – at least from the perspective of that minority who dress differently from the rest on the pitch. You can find all previous instalments here.