AC Milan is heading into the next month of action in football without their number 1 goalkeeper Mike Maignan as the French goalkeeper has suffered a serious injury. According to a report from Calciomercato (h/t Football. London), they will miss the services of Maignan for most of last month, which includes the two UEFA Champions League group stage matches with Chelsea.

AC Milan is heading into the next month of action in football without their number 1 goalkeeper Mike Maignan as the French goalkeeper has suffered a serious injury. According to a report from Calciomercato (h/t Football. London), they will miss the services of Maignan for most of last month, which includes the two UEFA Champions League group stage matches with Chelsea.

The defending Italian champions will take on the Blues in back-to-back encounters in successive midweeks just after the international break. Maignan was on national duty with the French national team during the latest round of international fixtures when he picked up the calf injury while playing for Les Blues during the match against Austria in the UEFA Nations League.

While it was initially dismissed to be a minor issue, the problem has turned out to be more serious than expected. The current prediction is that it could keep the Rossoneri guard between the sticks out of action for over a month.

The 27-year-old will be a major miss for Milan given that he has been a key cog in their side and also played a fundamental role in them winning the Scudetto last season. In the case of Maignan’s absence, experienced backup goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu is expected to don the gloves for Stefano Pioli’s side.

Maignan’s injury is far from being the only negative news in the Milan dugout. They have already been hampered by a plethora of injuries and issues to key players on the side. Former Liverpool striker Divock Origi’s participation is also doubtful for the return fixture against Chelsea given that he has already been ruled out of the first one due to an injury problem. Ante Rebic isn’t completely fit as well and will be racing against time to make it back work for the Champions League encounter.

Sandro Tonali also managed to pick up a knock and was withdrawn from the Italy squad during the latest round of international fixtures. He will be touch-and-go for the Italian side’s visit to Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.

Then there’s veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has also been a long-term absentee for Milan and has already spent plenty of time on the sidelines. Theo Hernandez was absent from the latest French squad as well as he recovers from a muscle injury.