Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has defended goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma but ordered his players to stop passing back to him so frequently. The Italian shot-stopper, a £30 million signing from Paris Saint-Germain in 2025, has experienced some nervy moments in the early stages of the season, prompting a tactical directive from the new boss. This comes as City sit top of the Premier League with a perfect record of three wins from three games, scoring seven goals and conceding just two.
What has Enzo Maresca said about Donnarumma?
Speaking after Manchester City's Champions League opening win in Porto, Enzo Maresca addressed concerns over his goalkeeper's distribution. Maresca made it clear he is happy with Donnarumma but believes the issue lies with his teammates' decision-making. "I think a few times it's not a Gigio mistake, it's more for me the wrong decision to go back to Gigio," Maresca said. He elaborated that players must seek alternatives before resorting to a back-pass. "We can go back to the keeper when we don't have another option, but the players need to find the other option."
These comments follow specific incidents that raised eyebrows. In Porto, a Donnarumma clearance rebounded off opponent William Gomes and bounced narrowly wide of the post, almost resulting in an embarrassing own goal. Earlier, in a Premier League win over Coventry City, he nearly conceded after letting the ball run under his feet. Maresca, who has only been in charge for a short period, is moving quickly to implement his philosophy and avoid recurring problems.
How does Donnarumma compare to Ederson?
The scrutiny on Donnarumma's comfort with the ball at his feet is inevitable at a club where his predecessor, Ederson, redefined the role of the modern goalkeeper. The difference in ability and confidence with the ball between the two is "like chalk and cheese." Distribution from the back has become a fundamental requirement for success at the highest level, a trend pioneered by sweeper-keepers like Manuel Neuer.
History shows how costly a mismatch in style can be. Joe Hart lost his place at Manchester City when Pep Guardiola arrived in 2016 because his skillset did not suit the new manager's demands. A similar situation unfolded at Manchester United with Andre Onana. Donnarumma arrived on a five-year contract as one of the squad's highest earners, with instructions to ensure the goalkeeper he replaced would not be missed. His adaptation is a key project for Maresca.
What is the wider context at Manchester City?
Despite the early-season focus on his distribution, Donnarumma's overall standing remains high. Senior figures at the Etihad were surprised he did not make the shortlist for world goalkeeper of the year. That list included Cape Verde's Vozinha, who was nominated after two impressive World Cup performances. Donnarumma will be aiming to prove his worth as the season progresses.
Manchester United were interested in signing him when PSG were willing to sell but ultimately backed away due to his significant wage demands. His future, and his success, are firmly tied to Manchester City. The team's strong start provides a solid platform, but they face a significant test in their next fixture, an away derby against Manchester United on September 13th. You can view the full upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
How does this affect City's current campaign?
The directive from Maresca is a clear attempt to solidify City's play from the back as they compete on multiple fronts. They currently lead the Premier League with nine points and a goal difference of plus five. Maintaining this form will require all players, including Donnarumma, to be comfortable in possession under pressure.
The squad is navigating this period without two attacking options, with Jérémy Doku and Nico O'Reilly currently sidelined. Their absence places more importance on building attacks reliably from defence. Fans can check the latest availability updates on the club's injuries page. As the team prepares for the Manchester derby, integrating Donnarumma fully into the City style remains a priority for Enzo Maresca in his first season in charge.
