Despite the fact that Milan’s first-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan is still sidelined indefinitely, Stefano Pioli has justified the team’s decision to not hire a replacement.
Since suffering a calf injury during France’s 2-0 Nations League victory over Austria on September 22, Maignan has been out for Milan.
The veteran goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu has filled in for the 27-year-old, who has missed Milan’s last 20 games after missing out from France’s World Cup campaign.
The current Italian champions, Milan, have lost five of their last seven games and their record has deteriorated significantly from the beginning of the season.
Tatarusanu will start both the opening leg of the Champions League last-16 against Tottenham next week and the league match against Torino on Friday because Milan are unsure of when Maignan would return.
The decision to forgo signing a seasoned goalkeeper in January was previously attributed to Milan’s board, but Pioli has admitted he too had a voice in the matter.
“The choice was mine and that of the technical team,” he said at Thursday’s pre-match press conference ahead of facing Torino.
“We have faith in Tatarusanu and we think that Maignan could be back in action soon.”
Asked exactly when he expects Maignan to return to the side, Pioli said: “I don’t know. His recovery is progressing well and he’s returned to the field, albeit not with the team.”
