AC Milan manager Sérgio Conceição has expressed his admiration for the Udinese fans following their respectful gesture towards goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who was injured during a match against Udinese that ended in a 4-0 victory for Milan. Maignan sustained a head injury after colliding with his teammate, Álex Jiménez, while attempting to block a shot. The incident occurred in the 51st minute, prompting urgent medical attention on the field.

In the wake of Maignan's injury, the Udinese supporters surprised many by applauding the goalkeeper as he was carried off on a stretcher. Conceição praised this act of kindness, stating, "The player is one thing, and the man is another. They can boo the player, but not the man. That applause was an incredible gesture." He emphasized that such displays of sportsmanship are rare in football, noting that in his 40 years in the game, he has witnessed few gestures as impactful.

Maignan's situation is particularly poignant given that he faced racial abuse during a previous encounter in January 2024 when Milan last played at Udinese. The contrast between the fans' reaction then and their supportive response now highlights a significant shift. Currently, Maignan is undergoing tests in the hospital to assess the extent of his injury.

As the Rossoneri sit ninth in the Serie A standings with six matches remaining, the team is now focused on their upcoming fixtures, including a crucial match against third-placed Atalanta and a Coppa Italia semifinal against Inter Milan. While Milan's recent performances have been inconsistent, Conceição remains hopeful that the team can harness the positive energy from their latest win and the support shown by Udinese fans to propel them forward in their quest for European football next season.