Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan insists that he is not overly concerned by the threat posed by his France international teammate Kylian Mbappe when the Rossoneri face Real Madrid in the Champions League, as he pointed to his Ballon d’Or ranking as a sign of his own abilities.
Milan will face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening in the fourth round of 2024-25 Champions League fixtures.
Maignan believes that Milan will rely on togetherness rather than tactics or individual brilliance against Carlo Ancelotti’s reigning Champions League winners.
“Having experienced players helps, but we have to play with a family spirit,” Maignan said at his pre-match press conference, reported via TMW.
Maignan on Mbappe and Real Madrid test: ‘I’m fifth in the top goalkeepers in the world’
Maignan was asked about Mbappe’s start to life in Madrid and the threat he could pose against Milan.
“Tomorrow will be a game against Kylian. We always talk, he’s a quality player, even if he’s going through a difficult patch at the moment. I have no doubt that he will do well.”
Maignan is not overly concerned by the threat that Madrid pose, though.
“Football always brings adrenaline for me. I’m enthusiastic playing against everyone, so for me, the best thing will be to win with my teammates.”
“If I don’t think I’m the best, nobody else is going to do it for me. I’m fifth in the top goalkeepers in the world, but I still have to improve. My priority is tomorrow’s match.”
Maignan was voted as the fifth best goalkeeper in the world at the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. He finished above Inter’s Yann Sommer (sixth), and behind Emiliano Martinez, Unai Simon, Andriy Lunin and Gianluigi Donnarumma.