AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Atalanta's Marco Carnesecchi have emerged as the top defensive performers in the 2025/26 Serie A season.
The comparison highlights how different goalkeeping styles contribute to team security, with Maignan focusing on distribution and Carnesecchi on shot-stopping volume.
Statistical data from the season reveals a narrow gap between the two players. Maignan recorded 14 clean sheets [1] and made 90 saves [2]. His save rate for the period stood at 75.6% [3]. Beyond shot-stopping, Maignan demonstrated strong involvement in the buildup play with an 81% pass completion rate [4].
Carnesecchi provided a similar level of defensive stability for Atalanta. He recorded 13 clean sheets [5] and surpassed Maignan in total volume with 102 saves [6]. This higher volume of attempts resulted in a slightly higher save rate of 76.1% [7].
The performance of these two keepers has been central to the defensive identities of their respective clubs. Maignan continues to operate as a pivot for AC Milan at San Siro, while Carnesecchi serves as the primary anchor for Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium. The data suggests that while Carnesecchi faced more shots, both players maintained nearly identical efficiency in preventing goals.
Their contributions reflect the evolving role of the modern goalkeeper in Italian football. The balance between reflexive shot-stopping and tactical distribution has become a primary metric for evaluating success in the league. With the 2025/26 season concluding, the statistical proximity of these two athletes underscores a high standard of goalkeeping across the top of the table.
“Maignan recorded 14 clean sheets and made 90 saves.”
The statistical parity between Maignan and Carnesecchi indicates a shift in Serie A where elite goalkeeping is no longer just about shot-stopping. Maignan's high pass completion rate reflects a tactical requirement for keepers to act as the first point of attack, while Carnesecchi's higher save volume suggests a defensive system that allows more shots but relies on individual brilliance to maintain a high save percentage.
