Mike Maignan apologises after his red card in Bournemouth’s historic win over AC Milan

The 27th minute decided the game. At a corner, Mike Maignan swung both fists into the face of Tyler Adams to make space in his own box. Straight red, penalty: Marcus Tavernier converted (32nd), Justin Kluivert had opened the scoring from the spot (8th) and Amine Adli added the third from a free-kick (84th). Down to ten for more than an hour, AC Milan lost 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday night.

For Bournemouth, the night made history: the first English club to win their first three European games since 1973, according to ESPN, in their maiden European campaign. In 2010 the club was still in League Two.

“My action was not intentional”

On Friday, Maignan explained himself on Instagram. “My action was not intentional. Like all goalkeepers, and in every match, I was trying to clear space in my area. Unfortunately it gave a bad image, particularly to the young spectators watching us,” wrote the Milan goalkeeper and captain, quoted by RMC Sport. La Gazzetta dello Sport noted it was the third red card of his career, after a deliberate blow on Benjamin Corgnet at Strasbourg in 2017 and a knee to the throat of Ekuban against Genoa.

At Milan, the flash of temper has gone down badly. “The second penalty and the red card changed the game. We cannot afford these errors, especially when they come from experienced players,” said Amorim. Costacurta was blunter: “It is a very serious mistake from Maignan. Too much naivety for a player of his experience. I find it really stupid.” No suspension length is known yet; RMC Sport reports a risk of a “quite heavy” UEFA sanction.

Mateta on target, Real Sociedad cruise

Later in the evening, Jean-Philippe Mateta scored for Crystal Palace against Beşiktaş, after a poor back-pass and Yeremy Pino’s equaliser, though Palace were caught late on (2-2). Real Sociedad strolled past Lilleström 6-0, with three assists from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Sergio Gómez double.

Next stop, Old Trafford

Bournemouth arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday (3pm UK time) on a run of three straight wins, eight goals scored, none conceded: Sunderland (2-0), Sturm Graz (3-0), Milan (3-0). Facing them, a Manchester United side sitting 13th in the Premier League without a win in their last five. The market has followed: the Bournemouth or draw double chance, priced at 1.85 in our match preview on Thursday, was down to 1.74 on Friday.