Enzo Maresca, Manchester City’s sporting director, has defended goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after the Italian’s high‑profile mistakes in the club’s recent defeats to Paris Saint‑Germain and Aston Villa. Donnarumma was blamed for Nicolas Jackson’s winning long‑range strike at Villa Park, which gave City their first league loss of the season, and for the goals of Désiré Doué and Maghnes Akliouche in the 4‑1 Champions League defeat to the holders earlier this month.
Maresca said that errors are a natural part of football, especially when players are involved in so many matches. “When you don’t get results or make mistakes, it’s normal. It’s a consequence,” he explained. “Since we started, Gigio has been doing well. Like any manager or player making mistakes, it’s part of the season. They 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 that they recognise this.” The sporting director added that the goalkeeper is a “strong character” who understands the need to learn from errors.
Maresca also praised centre‑back Marc Guéhi, who has had a mixed spell. Guéhi was responsible for Jackson’s opener at Villa and had previously conceded a late penalty in the 3‑2 win over Ipswich. He also made an early mistake that led to Lamine Yamal’s goal for Spain in the Nations League. “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 mistakes it is recognised.”
The club has decided to rest Donnarumma for the Carabao Cup clash with Brighton on Wednesday. Maresca explained that after the Villa defeat, five players—Erling Haaland, Rúben Dias, Elliot Anderson, Gigio and Josko Gvardiol—were given three days off to recover. “Three days off, energy, go, come back with full energy then we go again,” he said. Geronimo Rulli will again step in as the backup goalkeeper for the Brighton match.
The decision to rest Donnarumma comes as City look to regroup after a disappointing run of results, while the club’s leadership signals confidence in the goalkeeper’s character and potential to rebound from the recent blunders.