Maignan hits back at ‘fragile’ critiques in press conference: “What I do best”

There have been several questions in recent years about Mike Maignan and his injury record for AC Milan. However, he does not see it.

In the past few seasons, Maignan has missed more than 40 games for Milan with injuries, which equates to a full season, effectively. Since the turn of the year, he has missed two games, albeit through unrelated issues.

So, the question that Maignan may be slightly fragile may be fair, even if he is not particularly injury-prone. Of course, he remains a fantastic goalkeeper, as has been seen this season, but the doubts are certainly there.

Maignan’s reply

In his press conference before the Iceland game, the Frenchman was asked about his role as captain and the aforementioned injury issues that he has previously had, with Maignan answering both questions quite honestly, as MilanNews relays.

What kind of captain will you be?

“Kylian is the captain. The coach decides who is the captain. We fully support the coach’s and the captain’s decisions. I don’t have to change anything; I’ll do what I have to do.”

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

On Monday, you’ll be starting for the senior national team for the 23rd consecutive time. Does it bother you to be described as fragile?

“I hear what people say, but the best answer I can give is that I don’t pay attention. Tomorrow [Monday] will be my 23rd consecutive match. That’s a good thing. People say I get injured often, but it doesn’t affect me. You should know that, on the pitch, the goalkeeper is the player who takes the most hits.

“I know you like statistics. If you look at the stats, last season, I was one of the three players who played the most in Europe. Managing my body is what I do best.”

Last season, despite the occasional injury, he played 53 times, clocking up almost 4,700 minutes. In other words, maybe the fragile remarks are an overcaution.