Massimiliano Allegri believes that by renewing Mike Maignan's contract, AC Milan have secured the services of one of Europe's top three goalkeepers for the long term.

Milan are second in Serie A, eight points behind Scudetto frontrunners Inter but with a game in hand.

They will look to cut the gap to their rivals when they visit the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara to face Bologna on Tuesday, and they received a huge boost ahead of their next match.

The Rossoneri announced on Saturday that Maignan – who was expected to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season – had signed a new contract to run until June 2031.

Maignan has made 21 appearances in Serie A this season, keeping eight clean sheets and conceding only 17 goals, and Allegri knows how important it was to retain him.

He told reporters on Monday: "I'm very happy because Milan have secured one of the three best goalkeepers in Europe. 

"He is very happy, he has always said he wanted to stay, the club has been good at doing the right things to ensure that Mike stays at Milan. Now we can think about tomorrow.

"I absolutely did not have to convince Maignan. All the credit, as should be the case because they have worked hard and decided on all the contracts, goes to the club. 

"After Maignan stayed in the summer, I was confident that he could continue at Milan. Maignan is a very sensitive guy, I knew he wanted to stay."

Allegri was then asked whether Luka Modric, who joined on a one-year deal shortly before his 40th birthday at the start of the season, could continue playing in 2026-27. 

He replied: "With Modric, let's see. Luka will decide."

The Milan boss was also quizzed on comments made by Inter coach Cristian Chivu, who recently suggested the Nerazzurri are judged differently to all other clubs in Italy.

"I'm not saying that Milan are inferior to Inter. But I will answer Chivu; they are at the top of the standings and have a chance of winning things," Allegri said. 

"In recent years they have practically never dropped out of the top two places. Chivu is doing a great job." 

Tuesday's opponents, Bologna, are ninth in the table but are now 11 points adrift of the top six, and Vincenzo Italiano's best chance of leading them back into Europe for 2026-27 might be winning the Europa League.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bologna – Riccardo Orsolini

Orsolini scored his seventh goal of the season (in all competitions) during a 3-0 Europa League victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv last week – the most of any Bologna player.

As well as boasting the most direct goal involvements in the Rossoblu's squad in 2025-26 (eight – one assist), Orsolini also leads the way for dribbles attempted and completed (21/47). 

AC Milan – Rafael Leao

Leao has scored seven goals in 16 Serie A appearances this season, just one short of equalling his tally from the whole of last campaign (eight goals in 34 games). 

The Portugal forward is currently enjoying his best goalscoring rate in a Serie A season, netting every 153 minutes on average, surpassing his previous record of one goal every 162 minutes in 2022-23. 

MATCH PREDICTION: AC MILAN WIN

Milan could complete their first league double over Bologna since the 2020-21 season, following their 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture on September 14.

That success came via Modric's first, and so far only, Serie A goal this season.

The visitors are also unbeaten in 19 of their last 20 Serie A matches against Bologna (W15 D4); Bologna's only win against the Rossoneri in this period came on February 27, 2025 (2-1 at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara).

In addition, Bologna have won just one of their last 10 Serie A matches (W1 D3 L6), and since the start of December, no side has lost more matches in the Italian top flight than the Rossoblu (six, level with Lecce and Torino).

Bologna have also gained just one point from their last five home Serie A games, losing their last two, while Milan are unbeaten in their first 11 away league matches this term (W6 D5). The Rossoneri last enjoyed such a run from the start of a campaign in 2003-04 (W8 D3), when they also won their 12th away match.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bologna – 29.4%

AC Milan – 43.8%

Draw – 26.8%