Maignan’s Derby Penalty Save Fuels Milan’s Rise as Contract Talks Stall

Overview

• Mike Maignan denied Hakan Çalhanoğlu from the spot to clinch Milan’s 1-0 Derby della Madonnina win on November 23.
• The stop was his second decisive penalty save this month after he thwarted Paulo Dybala in a 1-0 victory on November 2.
• TV analysis highlighted that Maignan stood slightly off-centre and used a subtle feint, tactics experts say helped draw the shot to his left for the save.
• The derby result lifted Milan to second in Serie A, one point off the leaders, reinforcing his central role in their title push.
• Maignan’s deal runs to June 2026, and according to Gazzetta via Football Italia, Milan have offered about €5m per year with talks stalling as Juventus, Inter, Premier League clubs, and a previously rebuffed Chelsea show interest.