Maresca stands by Donnarumma despite fresh error in Leipzig win
Manchester City battled to a 3-2 Champions League win away at RB Leipzig, but the story afterwards has centred on another shaky display from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Manchester Evening News' player ratings from the game handed out plenty of credit elsewhere but marked Donnarumma down as poor, noting it was still City's first win in four games going into the contest (Manchester Evening News). The same outlet followed up by reporting that manager Enzo Maresca addressed the goalkeeper's errors head-on afterwards, insisting it was "not a concern" (Manchester Evening News).
Sports Mole backs that up, reporting that Maresca has doubled down on his backing of Donnarumma after what it calls another costly "mistake", making clear the manager's stance on his number one remains unchanged (Sports Mole). BBC Sport carries similar comments from Maresca, with the manager said to have acknowledged his goalkeeper "knows he was no good" on this occasion while still expressing faith in him going forward (BBC Sport).
Not everyone is as convinced the issue should be brushed aside. talkSPORT is far more pointed, suggesting Donnarumma has become a genuine problem for City and even raising fears that City's "dominant dynasty" could be under threat unless issues are addressed, despite the win in Germany (talkSPORT). Manchester Evening News has also gone to its readers directly, running a poll asking whether City should bring in a fresh goalkeeper to push Donnarumma, after he was caught out at his near post during the Leipzig win (Manchester Evening News).
So while the result secured the three points and ended a mini four-game run without a win, the goalkeeper situation is clearly the bigger talking point coming out of it. Maresca's message across the Manchester Evening News, Sports Mole and BBC Sport reports is consistent: he is standing firmly behind Donnarumma and does not see it as a worry. talkSPORT and the Manchester Evening News poll suggest City fans and pundits alike are not all as relaxed, with questions being asked about competition for the gloves.
For City supporters, the win in the Champions League is the main thing, but with a trip to Nottingham Forest up next in the Premier League, all eyes will be on whether Donnarumma can shake off the uncertainty before more questions start to build.
Written with the help of AI, using the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
