ROME: Mike Maignan will return as AC Milan goalkeeper for this weekend’s Serie A clash with Atalanta after five months out injured, coach Stefano Pioli said on Saturday.
France international Maignan suffered a calf injury in Les Bleus’ 2-0 win over Austria in the Nations League in September, causing him to miss out on the World Cup as Hugo Lloris’ deputy.
His last match for Milan was the champions’ home defeat to league leaders Napoli a few days before.
“Tomorrow Mike will play in goal,” Pioli told reporters ahead of Sunday’s match.
“He was the best goalkeeper last season, he has given us so much in all sorts of situations. He hasn’t played for five months but he’s doing well both physically and mentally.
“He’s been like a caged lion, he’s very motivated.”
Maignan, 27, was one of the stars of Milan’s charge to a first Serie A title since 2011 last season and had been performing well before his injury.
He will have two matches to return to his best form before Milan travel to London next month for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Tottenham Hotspur.
Pioli has already conceded that Milan’s title defense is over as they sit 18 points behind Napoli in fourth, with a fight on their hands for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Milan goalkeeper Maignan back after five months, says Pioli
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Milan goalkeeper Maignan back after five months, says Pioli
- France international Maignan suffered a calf injury in Les Bleus' 2-0 win over Austria in the Nations League in September
- "Tomorrow Mike will play in goal," Pioli told reporters ahead of Sunday's match
Giants Zamalek, Wydad kept apart in CAF Confederation Cup draw
- Zamalek face AS Otoho of Congo Brazzaville and Wydad meet fellow Moroccans Olympique Safi
- Should Zamalek advance, they will play fellow Egyptian club Al Masry or Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria
JOHANNESBURG: African club giants Zamalek and Wydad Casablanca were kept apart in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final and semifinal draws made in Cairo on Tuesday.
Zamalek face AS Otoho of Congo Brazzaville and Wydad meet fellow Moroccans Olympique Safi in the quarter-finals next month.
Should Zamalek advance, they will play fellow Egyptian club Al Masry or Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria for a place in the two-legged final of the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.
If Wydad prevail in the Moroccan derby, Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo or USM Alger of Algeria would be their semifinal opponents.
The semifinals are scheduled for April and the final for May with the winners pocketing $2 million (1,690mn euros) and the runners-up $1mn.
Popularly known as the White Knights, Zamalek are the second most successful club in CAF competitions with 13 titles, including Confederation Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2024.
Wydad have won five CAF competitions, but this will be their first appearance in the knockout stage of the Confederation Cup.
Both clubs won their groups to reach the quarter-finals. Wydad won five of six matches while Zamalek claimed three victories.
They suffered one loss each — Wydad away to Maniema in Kinshasa and Zamalek were surprised by ZESCO United in Ndola.
Draws
Quarter-finals
Al Masry (EGY) v Chabab Belouizdad (ALG)
Olympique Safi (MAR) v Wydad Casablanca (MAR
AS Otoho (CGO) v Zamalek (EGY)
Maniema Union (COD) v USM Alger (ALG)
1st legs: March 15, 2nd legs: March 22
Semi-finals
Maniema or USM v Safi or Wydad
Masry or Belouizdad v Otoho or Zamalek
1st legs: April 12, 2nd legs: April 19
Final
1st leg: May 9, 2nd leg: May 16
