Lopez unruffled despite losing gloves to
teenager Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Spanish goalkeeper Diego Lopez said he would keep
the faith despite being sidelined by teenager
Gianluigi Donnarumma for a 2-1 win over Sassuolo
that ended the Rossoneri's three-game winless
streak on Sunday.
Former Villarreal and Real Madrid 'keeper Lopez
had been under fire for a series of under-par
displays for the struggling Serie A giants.
But despite counter-claims he remains one of
Milan's few strong points amid yet another difficult
start to the season, he was replaced by
Donnarumma
Sunday's game at the San Siro.
Donnarumma conceded his first league goal in
Italy's top flight when Sassuolo striker Domenico
Berardi wrong-footed him with a free kick that crept
over the defensive wall shortly after the restart.
But the towering teenager kept the damage to a
minimum as Milan ended their recent struggles with
goals from Carlos Bacca, from the penalty spot, and
Luiz Adriano in the 86th minute.
Reports earlier claimed Lopez could quit the club in
January if he was replaced by Donnarumma.
The Spaniard told Rai after the game he considered
Donnarumma "the future of Milan and of Italian
football", but it was clear in a later interview with
Sky Sport he had not fully digested coach Sinisa
Mihajlovic's decision.
"I'm calm, I have plenty of belief in my
performances. I've been here a year and half and
played nearly 40 games with Milan and the outcome
is pretty positive," said Lopez.
"I've always sought to be a leader of this team. I
respect the coach's wishes, just as I respect this
great club."
Milan coach Mihajlovic played down suggestions of
a rift, saying after the game: "I haven't rejected
Lopez. He's a top 'keeper that I have a lot of
respect for but he hasn't played well recently, the
same as some defenders, midfielders and
forwards.
"I decided to give Gigi his chance because I don't
look at a player's age, only how well he's playing. It
was my choice and I take responsibility."
Club CEO Adriano Galliani, meanwhile, told Milan
Channel: "Lopez has our full backing. I understand
why he might feel a little bitter, but he has to
respect the coach's wishes.
"A goalkeeper is a player like any other."
Milan's fourth win of the season moved them up to
provisional 10th place and seven points behind new
leaders Roma following their 2-1 win at Fiorentina.
Mihajlovic, who held crisis talks with club owner
Silvio Berlusconi two weeks ago, is not out of the
woods yet as thousands of fans protested the club's
ongoing woes by staying away from the stadium.
The Serbian added: "It was a peaceful protest, and I
want to thank the fans who have stood by us in this
period.
"It was an important win for us, we left ourselves
exposed far less than in previous games and we
created a lot of chances.
"Hats off to the lads because we fully deserved the
win."