In a seismic decision that has sent shockwaves through European football, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has wielded the axe, dropping World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for their pivotal Champions League encounter against Manchester City. This drastic move comes in the direct aftermath of the Italian's calamitous error that cost his team a victory in Ligue 1.
The football world is reeling after Donnarumma's horrific mistake against Clermont Foot over the weekend. With the score tied at 0-0, a routine back-pass turned into a nightmare for the former AC Milan prodigy. His heavy touch was pounced upon by Clermont's Muhammed Cham, who ruthlessly stole the ball and slotted it into an empty net, handing PSG an embarrassing 1-0 defeat.
Luis Enrique, known for his ruthless and uncompromising management style, has clearly seen enough. He has confirmed that veteran Spanish shot-stopper Keylor Navas will be entrusted with the gloves for the mammoth task of facing the treble-winners at the Parc des Princes. This marks a stunning fall from grace for Donnarumma, once considered the undisputed heir to the goalkeeping throne.
The timing could hardly be worse for the French champions. This high-stakes match against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is a crucial early test in the 'Group of Death'. The decision to bench their number one highlights the immense pressure on PSG to deliver in the Champions League and Enrique's low tolerance for individual errors, regardless of the player's reputation.
All eyes will now be on how the £50m-rated Italian international responds to this very public demotion. For Manchester City, facing a backup goalkeeper might seem like a tactical advantage, but they will be wary of a wounded PSG side looking to make a statement after a humiliating domestic setback.
