Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Gianluigi Donnarumma will start in goal against Brighton at the weekend, despite Geronimo Rulli saving two penalties in a 4-3 shootout win over the Seagulls.
Donnarumma, who became City's first-choice goalkeeper after James Trafford left for Leeds in the summer, has had a shaky start to the season. He has been at fault for a number of goals City have conceded, including at Aston Villa where he let Nicolas Jackson's tame effort slip under him.
Rulli's Heroics in Donnarumma's Absence
Last week, Maresca gave Donnarumma, along with four other players, three days off to prepare for the busy schedule ahead. In Donnarumma's absence, Rulli started in goal and made himself a hero with two penalty saves in the shootout win over Brighton.
Despite Rulli's performance, Maresca confirmed in his press conference that Donnarumma would start at the weekend against the Seagulls.
Maresca's Stance on Donnarumma
"I think it is one thing to say that at his moment it is Gigio plus ten, and another thing to say he is undroppable," Maresca said on Friday. "They are two different things. There is no player who is undroppable but there is a moment where it is Gigio plus ten because in this moment I see it like this."
"Any player makes mistakes, [what is] important is to move on, understand the reason why, to learn from that mistake and move on. In this moment we are talking about Gigio but remember the last minutes the save at Manchester United away."
"All players make mistakes at some point of the season, sometimes it costs points and sometimes not because we are lucky but I think it's a normal process from Gigio."
Donnarumma clearly has Maresca's backing, but the question remains whether Rulli should be given a chance. Fans are invited to have their say.
