The Manchester City keeper was crucial to his team’s win over Coventry although he did provide a scare

The Manchester City keeper was crucial to his team’s win over Coventry although he did provide a scare At his best in goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma is a weapon in his own right for Manchester City. Donnarumma’s ability to make pivotal and crucial saves is an understated component of Enzo Maresca’s side. The flip side of this can be that Donnarumma isn’t a major asset in Manchester City’s build-up play from the back. Both of these elements of Donnarumma’s game were on display in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. However, it must be said that without Donnarumma’s heroics in goal yesterday, Coventry City would’ve come away with at least a point yesterday. After an early scare, Gianluigi Donnarumma was pivotal for Manchester City in their 1-0 win over Coventry City. In the sixth minute of yesterday’s match, Gianluigi Donnarumma gave Manchester City a heart attack. Abdukodir Khusanov played a ball back to his goalkeeper who was on his own goal line. Donnarumma’s poor touch almost rolled over the line to give Frank Lampard’s side an early lead in what would have been farcical circumstances. However, Donnarumma saved his own blushes and cleared the ball only millimetres away from crossing the line. It was an early scare for Manchester City and Donnarumma. From there, Donnarumma put in a fantastic display in goal. Gianluigi Donnarumma made three pivotal saves during yesterday’s match. His first came from a Jack Rudoni header from close range in the first half after a long throw-in. It was perhaps the best of the lot. Iliman Ndiaye let Rudoni get in behind him and the Coventry City midfielder got a powerful header on goal. Donnarumma did what he does best to keep the game at nil-all. The Italian goalkeeper then made two more crucial saves in the second half to preserve City’s lead. As much as Erling Haaland’s goal was the difference between the two teams, so were Donnarumma’s saves, which were crucial to Manchester City leaving the Etihad Stadium with all three points yesterday. That cannot be overlooked in the wash up of City’s win. Enzo Maresca praised Donnarumma’s performance but he acknowledged his error. Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca was asked about Donnarumma’s almost costly error yesterday and his overall performance. Maresca praised Donnarumma’s display but he also said that Khusanov’s pass back to the Italian keeper in the sixth minute wasn’t his best decision. The City manager explained: “ This is Gigio! We know he’s very good! Also I think the decision from [Abdukodir] Khusa to play to Gigio in that situation was not the best. But he made some good saves and we’re happy. ” Gianluigi Donnarumma was exceptional in goal for Manchester City in their 1-0 win over Coventry City yesterday. His saves were crucial to City’s win and without them, Enzo Maresca’s side would have dropped points. Yes, Donnarumma provided an early scare but his saves were a big reason as to why Enzo Maresca’s side made it three wins from their opening three Premier League matches at the Etihad Stadium.