AC Milan's Mike Maignan Stands In Way Of Old Club PSG In Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with AC Milan this week will see the French club come up against one of the many outstanding talents they have let slip away in recent years. In the Italian side's goal will be Mike Maignan, who was allowed to leave Paris for Lille in 2015 and has gone on to win a Ligue 1 title, Serie A and become France's first-choice 'keeper. PSG, meanwhile, handed the gloves to a long list of goalkeepers before signing Gianluigi Donnarumma from Milan in 2021 and making him their undisputed number one a year later.

But would the Qatar-backed club have ultimately been better off keeping faith in a young Maignan than going from Salvatore Sirigu and Kevin Trapp to Gianluigi Buffon, Alphonse Areola, Keylor Navas and then Donnarumma in their ongoing quest to win the Champions League?

Now aged 28, Maignan has become one of the world's outstanding goalkeepers and will be Milan's last line of defence against his France teammates Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani in a pivotal Group F match.

Having kept clean sheets in draws with Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund so far in the group, Maignan is set to return for Milan after sitting out the 1-0 Serie A loss against Juventus on Sunday due to suspension.

"It is always a strange feeling to go back home, whether that to be to Lille or Paris," said Maignan while on France duty last week.

He missed last year's World Cup with injury but has become France's first choice since Hugo Lloris retired.

"It brings back memories. I have already played against PSG for Lille. It's the Champions League. There will be a great atmosphere. My family will be there. I need to make sure I focus on my job and not let the emotions overwhelm me."

'Practic