Why Pioli is likely to give Mirante a rare start against Salernitana

One of the more surprising developments of the pre-game build-up ahead of the Salernitana match tonight has been the news that Antonio Mirante is expected to start in goal.

According to Calciomercato.com, Mirante will indeed get the nod. The 40-year-old goalkeeper – who will turn 41 in July – is favoured over Marco Sportiello to start from the first minute in the last league game of 2023-24.

It will probably be the last game he plays for the Rossoneri too, because his contract is expiring. In addition to him, Stefano Pioli and Olivier Giroud will also say goodbye, and it will also be goodbye for Simon Kjaer who is out due to injury.

Mike Maignan is also out, because in recent days the French goalkeeper suffered a finger injury. Without Maignan, Pioli will have to decide who to play between Sportiello and Mirante and – despite the hierarchies and the former’s full availability – it is likely to be the latter.

The only games played by Mirante this season were the first game against Juventus at San Siro back in October (won 1-0 by the Bianconeri) and the Coppa Italia victory against Cagliari at the beginning of January.

Mirante has not seen the field since January therefore, remaining on the bench for almost all the other matches before missing the matches played from mid-March to the beginning of May due to injury.