Enzo Maresca said Gerónimo Rulli is no closer to challenging Gianluigi Donnarumma for the No.1 shirt at Manchester City, despite Rulli saving two spot-kicks to send City through to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Donnarumma watched from the stands as Rulli's shootout heroics secured a home tie against League One side Bradford.
Rulli Shines in Shootout
The Argentina international, signed in the summer as a replacement for James Trafford, made several saves in normal time to keep City in the game. Trafford left for Leeds after failing to displace Donnarumma, who signed in the same transfer window under Pep Guardiola. Donnarumma has become one of four City captains this year but has made several errors in recent weeks.
City were up against it when Mateo Kovacic missed their fourth penalty, but successive saves from Rulli turned the tie in their favour and booked a quarter-final with Bradford.
Maresca Confirms Hierarchy
Despite Rulli's performance, Maresca will name Donnarumma as the first choice when City host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday. The former PSG stopper remains the No.1, even if Rulli has earned more appearances in the cups.
"Apart from penalties, overall he was good especially in the build-up," Maresca said of Rulli. "It was not easy because they are a team that go man to man and are aggressive."
"In the first half, we tried some long solutions with Floyd [Samba] and then in the second half we tried on the floor with Phil [Foden]. He made one good save and was good. He is working well but Rulli knows exactly his role, there is no doubt about that. Saturday it will be Gigio plus 10."
