GdS: Past and present – Donnarumma and Maignan to meet at San Siro again

By: Ben Dixon

In recent years, Gianluigi Donnarumma has returned to San Siro and tonight, he will do so again, revisiting the home of his former life at AC Milan.

For Mike Maignan, it’s another game at San Siro. However, he’ll be in the opposition dressing room on a rare occasion. In the other goal, Donnarumma will return as a host at San Siro, but it’s not the home it once was.

As Gazzetta dello Sport writes, it’s a meeting between the past and present of the Rossoneri. Not the first time, but it’s not not newsworthy. In fact, it’s a chance for an Italian stadium to be split between two goalkeepers.

For the Diavolo faithful, it’s another chance to see their captain in action, whilst in their own net, they will be forced to support a man whom they now jeer whenever possible. Donnarumma, as the report states, still has Milan in his heart, but it’s not a reception which he’ll expect to have tonight.

The pair have shared destinies, with the Italian’s exit triggering the Frenchman’s arrival, and it’s why one is now celebrated and the other is booed. When Donnarumma could’ve stayed, he left; when Maignan had the same option, he renewed his deal.

Fans will cheer for Italy, but they won’t be cheering for all 11 Italians on the pitch…