19 October (Reuters) – AC Milan’s reserve goalkeeper Marco Sportiello has a calf injury, the Serie A leaders announced on Thursday, with first-choice Mike Maignan already suspended for Sunday’s home match against Juventus.
Maignan was sent off in Milan’s most recent game, a 1-0 victory against Genoa in which their French star Olivier Giroud performed heroics after taking over in goal during stoppage time. Sportiello is anticipated to replace Maignan, who is suspended.
Milan leads Serie A with 21 points, while Juventus is third with 17.
Sportiello arrived on a free transfer in June and made his debut in last month’s 0-0 Champions League draw against Newcastle United at home, replacing the injured Maignan for the final nine minutes.
He subsequently started the next two league games while Maignan was sidelined, but he is currently injured himself.
“Marco Sportiello has suffered an injury of the medial twin of the left calf,” Milan confirmed in a statement.
“The keeper will have to observe a rest period of 10 days, after which the evolution will be evaluated with a new MRI.”
Milan boss Stefano Pioli will now most likely turn to 40-year-old Antonio Mirante, who has yet to make an appearance for the club since signing in October 2021.
Mirante’s solitary competitive appearance in two years at Milan came on the final day of last season as a substitute for Maignan in the 89th minute of a 3-1 win over Hellas Verona.
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