25 | Gianluigi Donnarumma - 2025/26

[Citizen of Legoland]

He looks class and was communicating with his defence with authority. Trafford should be excited to be able to learn from one of the best in the world over the next few years.

 

[surprisedbygrass]

I like how when he came out punching, he cleared everything out. Don't think we have had a keeper like that since the great Joe Corrigan?

I knew he reminded me of someone . Thank you for taking me back to 1976.

With the game seemingly moving to more goals from set pieces I can now see why Donnarumma is so important . He's not going to get bullied at corners , is going to make a lone forward on the break sh*t the bed and will intimidate any penalty taker . He is a giant .

 

[Combat Carl]

I think I've found my new man crush. This guy is colossal. Instant impact.

 

[Radcliffe 1309]

Potentially a better shot stopper and huge presence in the area and especially corners….

yes , keeping the goal intact.....a refreshing change to last season

 

[heslops barnet]

Thought he was excellent yesterday. You can see where his passing is weaker than a typical Pep player, but I don't think it's something that can't be improved. Some of his passes were forcing our defenders to receive the ball and take a touch to face the right direction. But they're more than comfortable doing that so it's not a huge issue.

I do wonder if Pep will mix them up a bit more than is traditional and in games we expect to dominate the ball, with the opposition sat back we might use one. And in games we expect a little bit more pressure we use the other.

Edit - talking about mixing goalkeeper's up with Trafford playing if it better suits the opposition we're facing.

Personally stick with the new fellah, need a settled goalie/defence

 

[Paul1970]

Was impressed with the authority he showed in goal and his presence was that off a leader even ordering the defenders around .

 

[rowarta]

reality he's had 2 training sessions with the back 4. it can only get a better understanding, especially when we're in possession.

 

[citytill1die84]

People doubted him lol. Absolutely massive presence and will bring some much needed confidence to the players in front of him.

 

[Rascal]

We have a proper keeper at last.

loved Eddy, but he wasnt a top class keeper, the Don is.

 

[samuelyeboah]

OH, one more thing i wanted to add

On set pieces, HE shoves players out of the way instead of letting them shove him. Unbelievably important bit of skill that ederson never bothered to learn.

 

[Rammy Blue]

He is, quite literally, The Don.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

An excellent debut for Donnarumma.

Spoiler

I've received a bunch of pushback for my take on Donnarumma - which is that on his day he's world best in the goal - but isn't great on the ball and has other weaknesses.

I've not cited any particular post thus far in support of what I think...

But here's two - as a for example from my favorite analyst, LNobbins. For me... LNobbins knows his stuff and is very thorough without bias either pro City or against.

You may disagree with LNobbins - and I disagree, slightly, with some of his conclusions - but LNobbins is very through - and is well worth the watch...

 

[TonyBookEnd]

I don't have any stats to back this up but I was wondering whether this perceived weakness in Donnarumma's passing invites a higher and more aggressive press by the opposition. Certainly more than Ederson.
Does this draw them in and then leave Haaland 1 vs 1 up top and us chasing 2nd balls? Bit agricutural but would be intersesting to see how things develop. I guess Sunday will be an acid test

 

[Akira]

Superb debut. That wondersave is exactly the reason you pay the money for him. It's kinda refreshing to watch us have an incredible shot stopper between the sticks.

 

[HelloCity]

An excellent debut for Donnarumma.

Spoiler

I've received a bunch of pushback for my take on Donnarumma - which is that on his day he's world best in the goal - but isn't great on the ball and has other weaknesses.

I've not cited any particular post thus far in support of what I think...

But here's two - as a for example from my favorite analyst, LNobbins. For me... LNobbins knows his stuff and is very thorough without bias either pro City or against.

You may disagree with LNobbins - and I disagree, slightly, with some of his conclusions - but LNobbins is very through - and is well worth the watch...

Tip -

Try and rely on your own eyes more often rather than let others tell you what to think.

Analysis like this should purely be supplementary to your own experiences - which are currently minimal at best.

Declaring signings to be 'disasters' before they've even kicked a ball, and despite their incredible records, just comes across as extremely small minded.

 

[Big Ernst]

We've clearly been blessed with the distribution from Ederson for so long.

Very solid debut from the big man, needs to work on long balls though. Most either went out of play or hit the opposition.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Tip -

Try and rely on your own eyes more often rather than let others tell you what to think.

Analysis like this should purely be supplementary to your own experiences - which are currently minimal at best.

Declaring signings to be 'disasters' before they've even kicked a ball, and despite their incredible records, just comes across as extremely small minded.

Tip - watch the in depth analysis I've posted before replying. You've obviously not watched the video.

 

[pride in battle]

That save was unbelievable, Mbeuno caught it perfectly. If that goes in the whole game changes with the rags thinking they can get back into it, loved Eddie for what he’s done for City over the last 8 years. However would he have got anywhere near that yesterday?

Eddie, Ortega, James aren't saving that, i thought it was in, buzzing like fuck when he saved it #TheDon

 

[pride in battle]

Looked very nervous playing out from the back and the defenders looked unsure when receiving the ball under pressure, his long kicking was atrocious but for shot stopper & commanding his area he was brilliant, needs time to find his feet.

Was it fuck atrocious

 

[blueparrot]

Eddie, Ortega, James aren't saving that, i thought it was in, buzzing like fuck when he saved it #TheDon

Trafford might have.