Geronimo Rulli’s heroics in the Carabao Cup penalty shootout against Brighton have sparked speculation about Gianluigi Donnarumma’s status as Manchester City’s first‑choice goalkeeper, yet manager Enzo Maresca remains confident in his number one. Rulli, who re‑joined City from Marseille for a modest £1.7 million, delivered a dramatic performance that saw the hosts advance to the quarter‑finals after a 2‑2 draw in regulation time. The 34‑year‑old keeper made a fingertip stop on Georginio Rutter in the second half and then saved the final two penalties from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk, sealing the victory.
Maresca told BBC Sport that Rulli’s display did not threaten Donnarumma’s position. “No, absolutely not from my point of view. He is working well but Rulli knows exactly his role, there is no doubt about that. Saturday it will be Gigio plus 10,” the coach said. The veteran keeper will return to the bench for the upcoming Premier League match against Brighton, while Donnarumma is given a brief rest to recover after a recent error that contributed to an Aston Villa goal. Maresca highlighted that Donnarumma has been “making some mistakes” but remains a valuable asset, especially in build‑up play.
Rulli’s reputation as a penalty savant is well established. He famously scored for Villarreal in the 2021 Europa League final and then denied David de Gea in the shootout that decided the trophy. His return to City, where he had previously spent the 2016‑17 season without first‑team action, was seen as a shrewd move to bolster the squad after James Trafford’s £45 million move to Leeds. Maresca praised Rulli’s contribution, noting that the goalkeeper “was good overall, especially in the build‑up,” and that his saves were crucial against a team that “goes man‑to‑man and is aggressive.”
The Carabao Cup run has added momentum to City’s campaign, especially after the club’s recent exit from the Community Shield and the League Cup. With Arsenal eliminated and Chelsea also knocked out, City’s path to the final now includes a quarter‑final clash with Bradford. Maresca emphasized the importance of the competition, stating, “It’s a different competition but the ambition has to be the same: this is a new project, new players, a new manager who started three months ago and we need to do our business and that is winning games. At the moment we are doing that.”
Looking ahead, City will focus on maintaining their defensive solidity while integrating the new goalkeeper dynamics. Donnarumma’s recovery period and Rulli’s role as a reliable backup will be closely monitored as the team prepares for the next stages of the Carabao Cup and the Premier League fixtures.