"It is Impossible!" - Enzo Maresca Defends Gianluigi Donnarumma's Dip in Form for Manchester City
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The story in brief
16-second readManchester City manager Enzo Maresca defended goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after his mistakes contributed to Aston Villa's 2-1 win. Donnarumma was partly to blame for both Villa goals, failing to read the situation on the second. Maresca attributed the errors to the demanding schedule and number of games played. He noted that mistakes are a normal part of the game.
The full picture
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca defended goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after his mistakes contributed to Aston Villa's 2-1 win. Donnarumma was partly to blame for both Villa goals, failing to read the situation on the second. Maresca attributed the errors to the demanding schedule and number of games played. He noted that mistakes are a normal part of the game.
Donnarumma had faced criticism following Manchester City's 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, where he played. Maresca supported Donnarumma, describing him as a strong player aware of his mistakes. The manager also backed defender Marc Guehi, who made an error in the Villa game, praising his reaction to the mistake.
Despite Maresca's defense, Donnarumma is set to be benched for the Carabao Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion, with Geronimo Rulli starting in his place. Manchester City has not beaten Brighton in their last four encounters. The team has a demanding schedule, and Maresca has given some players, including Donnarumma, time off after the Villa loss.
At a glance
- Reporting status
- Reported
- Original publisher
- City Xtra | Manchester City News & More ↗
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- Clubs covered
- Manchester City
Attributed publisher reporting. Kickjolly has not independently confirmed the claim.
Source context
The Italian shot-stopper was partly to blame for both of Aston Villa’s goals during Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat on the weekend, where Nicolas Jackson netted on either side of Erling Haaland 52nd-minute leveller. Jackson’s second goal, which turned out to be the winner, wasn’t threatening by any means, but the City goalkeeper wasn’t able to read the situation and failed to dive early enough as the ball rolled beneath him. Having recently struggled to uphold his reputation as one of the world’s most talented goalkeepers, Donnarumma had already attracted criticism during his side’s 2-4 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain a fortnight ago.
Source excerpt · City Xtra | Manchester City News & More
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