Kylian Mbappé, Ferland Mendy, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid team. Mike Maignan, Théo Hernandez and Youssouf Fofana for Milan. One of the shocks of this 4th day of the Champions League between Real Madrid and Milan will have a strong French colour. Seven of the 25 Italians selected for the latest European Championships will in fact be present at the Santiago-Bernabéu. On the Spanish side, Aurélien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga are in balance with Luka Modric for a central place. The three Milanese players should start as starters.
One of the clashes in the match will be between Kylian Mbappé and Mike Maignan. On 25 October 2023, during a PSG-Milan match (3-0), third day of the Champions League group stage, the France captain opened the scoring and deceived the goalkeeper with a leg pass and then with a non-crossed ball . low shot to the near post (32nd). During the Blues’ September meeting and in particular the defeat against Italy (1-3), the two players apparently had some differences of point of view.
Like his Real Madrid, humiliated by Barcelona (0-4) on October 26 during the Clasico, Mbappé is going through a difficult period. His lack of defensive intervention (only 8km covered against Barça) was highlighted because it would cause an imbalance in the team.
“We play against Mbappé, but honestly there is no problem between us”
In a press conference, Mike Maignan spoke about reuniting with the Real Madrid striker. “Yes, tomorrow we play against Mbappé, but honestly there is no problem between us,” said the goalkeeper. We talk to each other all the time. He is a player of great quality, there is no doubt, even if he is going through a difficult moment. But I’ll know this tomorrow (Tuesday) it will be difficult. It’s a football match. Whether it’s against Real Madrid or another team, I always feel the adrenaline. To play correctly, you have to stay clear. We must face this match with clarity and family spirit, without having fears and doing what we know how to do. »
Decisive in this weekend’s brief success (1-0) in Monza, Maignan will have to give a great performance to keep his team afloat, not at his best. .Milan are only 7th in Serie A and their start in the Champions League is not good, with two defeats against Liverpool (1-3) and Bayer Leverkusen (1-0), for a victory against Club Brugge (3-1 ). Paulo Fonseca, former Lille coach, has been widely criticized since his arrival in Italy.
“Vinicius is sad, but not for the Ballon d’Or, it’s because he looks at the situation at Valencia”
Carlo Ancelotti, for his part, remembered above all the tragic floods that occurred in the Valencian region. “Milan (his former club)? This is a special match for me, I would like to talk about it, but I will try to talk as little as possible. It’s our job. Against Milan we have an important and special match, but it takes second place. With what has happened, we no longer have the energy to work. We inform ourselves, we watch, we read. And what happened is truly incredible, terrible. »
The Italian coach also referred to the Ballon d’Or: “The week was difficult, because the environment is not normal. But not for what happened with the Ballon d’Or. It just happened. Congratulations to the winners. There is sadness, but for what is happening here in Spain. Vinicius is sad, like us, but it’s not because of the Ballon d’Or, it’s because he looks at the situation at Valencia. »
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Editor: Good morning, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with renowned football analyst, Sophie Dubois. Sophie, we just witnessed a thrilling slate of Champions League matches, including the eye-catching clash between Real Madrid and AC Milan. Can you share your thoughts on the significance of the French players involved in this showdown?
Sophie: Good morning! Absolutely, the French presence in this match was indeed striking. With players like Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Mike Maignan taking center stage, it really underscores the depth of talent from France in top European football. Seven French players in total were on display, highlighting how crucial they’ve become in pivotal matches like this.
Editor: Speaking of Kylian Mbappé, there’s been a lot of buzz about his current form, especially after PSG’s recent victory over Milan. Yet, it seems he’s facing a rough patch at Real Madrid. What do you think this means for his confidence heading into the match against Milan?
Sophie: It’s an interesting situation for Mbappé. While he did score against Milan previously, his recent performances have raised eyebrows, particularly that 0-4 loss against Barcelona, where his defensive efforts were questioned. Players of his caliber tend to rise to the occasion in big matches, even when they’re struggling. However, the pressure will certainly weigh on him. How he channels that pressure into a positive performance against Milan will be critical.
Editor: There’s an intriguing personal subplot there, too, isn’t there? The reported differences in viewpoint between Mbappé and Mike Maignan during the September international break adds another layer of intrigue. Do you think this could play a part in their matchup?
Sophie: It’s possible, but Maignan has been quite diplomatic about it. He emphasized that there are no ongoing issues between them and highlighted the importance of maintaining a clear mindset in such matches. That said, it’s normal for players, especially competitive ones, to have disagreements. It can serve as motivation or create tension; it all depends on how they handle it on the pitch.
Editor: True, and Maignan’s role as a goalkeeper is crucial. He had a stellar performance in AC Milan’s recent win and will need to replicate that level of play against some of the best attacking talents in the game. What strategies do you foresee him employing to contain Mbappé?
Sophie: Maignan’s experience will be vital. He’ll likely focus on positioning—anticipating Mbappé’s movements and minimizing the angle for any shots. Communicating with his defense will be crucial too, especially in maintaining organization against quick transitions. They must collectively work to limit space and force Mbappé into less advantageous positions.
Editor: Could this match signify a turning point for both players—Mbappé to reclaim his form and Maignan to establish himself as one of the elite goalkeepers in the Champions League?
Sophie: Absolutely! It’s a crucial moment for both players. For Mbappé, a decisive performance could reinstate his status as a game-changer, which he’s known for. For Maignan, this match provides an opportunity to showcase his skill against top-tier opposition on a grand stage. This is what football is all about—stepping up when it matters.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Sophie. It seems we’re in for an exciting encounter, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
Sophie: Thank you for having me! Let’s see what these talents deliver on the pitch.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay with us for more updates as we follow the Champions League action!