Maignan explains his expulsion after pushing Adams and slams the press
Mike Maignan, French goalkeeper of Milan, received a direct red card after pushing Bournemouth's Tyler Adams, placing both hands on his face, at the half‑hour mark of the third matchday of the Europa League group stage on Thursday.
Maignan explained his conduct via an Instagram ‘story’, where he showed the moment of the push on Adams. In the post, the goalkeeper admitted that his intention was to create space in his area. The reaction quickly spread among Milan fans.
The goalkeeper himself said: “Like all goalkeepers and as in every match, I wanted to make space in my area.” This was the third dismissal of his career, after one at Lille and two with Milan. He acknowledged that the action left a bad image.
Goalkeeper's reflection after the dismissal
Maignan lamented that his conduct has generated a negative perception, especially among younger spectators. “They know what kind of person and what kind of captain I am. They know my intentions, and abandoning the team never forms part of them,” he said. He also criticised comments from certain media, saying: “Otherwise, we are used to the interpretations made by certain people and some media outlets.”
Maignan sees his dismissal cost Milan a point in Europe
The incident occurred during a corner kick, when Maignan pushed Adams with both hands on his face. The referee deemed the play an aggression and awarded a penalty, which Marcus Tavernier converted, putting the score 2‑0. Substitute Lorenzo Torriani, who came into the goal, could not prevent the final 3‑0 defeat.
Consequences in the match and on the table
With the loss, Milan were left with three points and occupied the twenty‑fourth position, the last that allows access to the Europa League playoffs. The result left the team out of the direct qualification zone. The matchday also marked the end of the club’s European campaign.
The report by Alastair Grant and Jordi Archs for International Football covered the episode, highlighting the seriousness of the foul and the player’s response. According to the journalists, the dismissal underscores the need for greater control in pressure situations. The case revived the debate about goalkeeper discipline in continental competitions.