Enzo Maresca Offers Behind-The-Scenes Insight on Gianluigi Donnarumma Reaction to Mistakes and Criticism

Enzo Maresca Offers Behind-The-Scenes Insight on Gianluigi Donnarumma Reaction to Mistakes and Criticism What did the 2026/27 season have in store for Gianluigi Donnarumma? More Videos The Italian goalkeeper has conceded 12 goals in his past six games across all competitions for Manchester City, including high-profile meetings with Paris Saint-Germain , Aston Villa and RB Leipzig. Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined Manchester City for £26 million from PSG towards the end of last summer, has come under intense criticism from supporters in recent weeks and was rotated when Enzo Maresca’s side beat Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup. Geronimo Rulli was his replacement and played an outstanding game, saving two penalties in the shootout to thrust City into the quarter-finals, where it has since been established that they will face Bradford City at home in mid-December. While making a handful of stunning saves across recent appearances, Donnarumma made costly mistakes against PSG and Aston Villa before drawing unwanted attention to himself against RB Leipzig on Wednesday. In the 49th minute at the Red Bull Arena, the shot-stopper was caught out of position and watched a cross from Ridle Baku roll beyond him at his near post, which cancelled out Manchester City’s 0-1 lead up to that point. Speaking ahead of Manchester City ’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening, Enzo Maresca provided insight into how Gianluigi Donnarumma is from a personal standpoint and firmly pointed out that balance is key in this scenario. “Overall, he’s good. He’s quite relaxed in terms of he recognises he has made some good saves. So it’s a matter of balance, try to avoid mistakes, and continue to do the right things,” Maresca said on Friday morning. On whether he has communicated with Donnarumma since his mistake against Leipzig, the Manchester City manager added: “I spoke with Gigio, but again sometimes you don’t need to be so deep with some players because you know that they know they’ve made a mistake and they recognise that. So just try to avoid that, and move on.” There have been mounting suggestions across supporter groups and social media that Gianluigi Donnarumma should be dropped for the Nottingham Forest clash to not only give Geronimo Rulli more minutes, but also to help Enzo Maresca’s No.1 goalkeeper reset both physically and mentally. Manchester City head to the East Midlands on Saturday evening for the first time since a 2-2 draw last season, where Antoine Semenyo and Rodri scored either side of a Morgan Gibbs-White equaliser, with now-Etihad Stadium midfielder Elliot Anderson striking late for Nottingham Forest to salvage a point. That draw kicked off a run wherein Pep Guardiola’s side lost across two legs to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League while drawing to the eventually relegated West Ham United, which effectively handed Arsenal their first Premier League title in 22 years. Forest, who have made a slow start to the season under Oliver Glasner, currently sit 19th in the English top-flight table on six points from their opening nine games, and haven’t tasted victory since a 1-2 away win against Aston Villa. Enzo Maresca’s side haven’t struggled on the road this season, apart from a recent 2-1 loss to Unai Emery’s side at Villa Park, and have beaten the likes of Manchester United , Liverpool and RB Leipzig away from home. The Manchester City manager has a very strong team at his disposal for the weekend, given the lack of injuries in the squad, and with the international break looming, he will likely field his sturdiest line-up to try and retain the smallest possible gap to Arsenal at the top of the table.