Tare sheds light on Mateta’s ‘problem’, Maignan’s renewal and lack of defensive signing

AC Milan’s sporting director Igli Tare has shed more light on the failed Jean-Philippe Mateta move, and commented on Mike Maignan’s new deal.

Milan take on Bologna at the Stadio Renato dall’Ara tonight hoping to win and match the results of Inter, Juventus and Napoli, who all claimed three points over the weekend. However, the Rossoneri lost at this stadium in the same fixture last season, so they are well aware of the pitfalls.

Massimiliano Allegri has chosen to make four changes to the starting line-up from the team that drew with Roma last Sunday night. Niclas Füllkrug and Rafael Leao only fit enough for the bench, while Christian Pulisic did not travel due to injury, so there is a crisis in attack again.

Tare spoke to DAZN moments before kick-off in Emilia and he was rather predictably asked questions about the quiet winter window but also Mike Maignan’s renewal. MilanNews relayed what he had to say.

Tonight feels like a big game…

“We have to look at ourselves; our destiny is in our hands. We have to try to play a big game tonight and try to win it, because it means maintaining consistency in the standings and also living up to our expectations.”

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Why didn’t Mateta arrive?

“The Mateta deal was about the future, not the present. While negotiating, we saw there was a chance to bring it forward, and we tried to do so. Then, during the medical, we discovered the player’s physical problem, and we decided not to proceed. We’ll see what happens in the future.

“The team have done very well so far. The forwards have also done well. Leao has this problem that’s bothered him a bit in recent weeks, and Pulisic has a few other issues as well. But we’re happy with this team, and we’ll move forward without giving ourselves or anyone else any excuses.

Finally the renewal of Maignan came. How difficult was it to get?

“It wasn’t difficult. Mike is a symbol of this club, of this club. There were negotiations to be concluded, I always knew he wanted to stay in Milan.

“He fought to the end to make this dream of his come true, and the club did a great job in ensuring this deal came to fruition, sending a signal for the future of Milan’s project.”

In the end, no defender signed…

“We didn’t have to. If there had been something that could really help us, we would have done it, but then Max and I decided to continue with this group, which has given us great satisfaction up to this point.”