1. ‘He’s a strong character’
Enzo Maresca has given his backing to Gianluigi Donnarumma after the goalkeeper’s costly errors in Manchester City’s recent defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
Donnarumma was at fault for Nicolas Jackson’s game-winning strike at Villa Park on Saturday, the forward’s long-range shot squeezing under the Italian’s body and leading to City’s first league defeat of the season. Against PSG in the Champions League this month, Donnarumma was at fault for Désiré Doué’s and Maghnes Akliouche’s goals as City lost 4-1 against the holders.
“As a football player or manager, when you don’t get results or make some mistakes, it’s normal. It’s a consequence,” Maresca said. “Gigio since we started is doing well. Like any manager or player making some mistakes, it’s part of the season.
“They [footballers] play so many games and minutes that sometimes it’s impossible not to make mistakes. He’s a strong character. He knows that when he makes a mistake, he doesn’t need us to tell him – sometimes it’s so clear so they recognise this.”
Marc Guéhi has been in uneven form, too. The defender was culpable for Jackon’s opener on Saturday. He also conceded a late penalty in the previous weekend’s 3-2 win against Ipswich, and made an early mistake that led directly to Lamine Yamal scoring for Spain against England in the Nations League last month.
“I am completely happy with Marc,” Maresca said. “The way he reacts is fantastic, he is a top guy. He is one of the captains, he is a leader and I love Marc. Same as Gigio, when they make some mistakes it is recognised.”
Donnarumma will be rested for Brighton’s visit in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Maresca said: “After the Villa game we gave five players three days off to recover the energy: Erling [Haaland], Rúben [Dias], Elliot [Anderson], Gigio and Josko [Gvardiol]. They are all on holiday. Three days off, energy, go, come back with full energy then we go again.”
Geronimo Rulli will again deputise for Donnarumma against Brighton. Jamie Jackson
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