Key Takeaways:
- Milan will face Serie A title holders Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final on Thursday evening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Mike Maignan declined to discuss his future with Milan, focusing solely on the upcoming match against Napoli
- Milan, the reigning Supercoppa Italiana champions, seek their only remaining opportunity for silverware outside the Serie A title race this season
Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Final Preparation
Mike Maignan has underlined Milan’s determination to perform in Thursday evening’s Supercoppa Italiana semi-final as they approach a vital clash against current Serie A champions Napoli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Speaking ahead of the encounter, Maignan made it clear that all attention is firmly on the match and refused to be drawn on speculation concerning his future at the club, stating: “I don’t think it’s the time.”
Mike Maignan alla vigilia di Napoli-Milan è intervenuto in conferenza stampa 🗣
Preferisce evitare le domande sul suo futuro 🤔
Poi manda un messaggio ai tifosi rossoneri presenti in Arabia Saudita 🔴⚫️#Maignan #NapoliMilan #SupercoppaItaliana pic.twitter.com/yXHsbSJ8uN
— Spazio_Milan (@MilanSpazio) December 17, 2025
Road to Riyadh: Milan’s Current Situation
Milan enter the Supercoppa Italiana as the competition’s reigning champions. They secured the trophy during Sergio Conceicao’s initial two fixtures as manager last winter, following his appointment as successor to Paulo Fonseca. However, the club has undergone significant changes since then, including alterations to both manager and coaching staff.
This season, Milan have no European competitions to contend with, heightening the significance of Thursday’s semi-final after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Lazio in the Coppa Italia. With only the Serie A title race and the Supercoppa left as routes to silverware, the stakes are high for the Rossoneri.
| Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Finals Schedule | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Milan vs Napoli | Thursday evening | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Bologna vs Inter | Friday evening | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Final: Monday evening, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | ||
Maignan’s Perspective Ahead of the Tie
Maignan emphasised that past triumphs hold little relevance now, saying the squad must concentrate exclusively on overcoming Napoli to secure a place in Monday’s final. The Milan goalkeeper outlined the importance of maintaining focus during training, rising to the occasion, and continuing to build on the squad’s improved collective dynamic and stability introduced by the current coaching staff.
“We won it last year, but last year is over now. This is a new path, we have to focus only on tomorrow’s game, it’s the most important. Without a win tomorrow night, there’s no chance for Monday,” Maignan told the press. He highlighted the improved unity within the squad, describing them as “more of a team this year, more of a family, a group that works well together.”
Reflecting on the changes at the club, Maignan observed that the current coaching staff have delivered a sense of calmness to the working environment, pushing the players to continually improve and achieve positive results.
No Comment on Contract Situation
With his contract set to expire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, Maignan was approached about his long-term future amidst transfer speculation linking him to several major European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Chelsea. He firmly stated that the focus remains on the immediate challenge ahead, adding: “Of course there is a lot of talk about my future, but it’s not something that bothers me. I have to be focused to give my best. I don’t think it’s the time to talk about my future today, we’re very close to an important game. I have to give it my all tomorrow night and see what happens next.”
Adapting to New Surroundings
Maignan commented on the altered atmosphere of contesting the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia as opposed to Italy. He noted: “It’s something a bit different. We’re focused on the game, I don’t think we’ll be concerned with what happens in the stadium, we have to think about the football that we play and doing what the coach asks of us. It will definitely be a good game, I experienced it last year. These are passionate fans. We have to give out best, that’s the most important thing.”
As a message to travelling supporters in Riyadh, Maignan added: “It’s a very simple message: Thank you for supporting Milan. I believe we will give our best for all of you who are here to support us.”
