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Gianluigi Donnarumma joined Manchester City on deadline day of the summer transfer window in 2025. |
In the early morning of October 22, Donnarumma continued to keep a clean sheet in Man City's 2-0 win over host Villarreal in the Champions League qualifying round. The convincing victory helped Donnarumma keep his 5th clean sheet in just 8 appearances for "The Citizens" since the beginning of the season. More impressively, the Italian goalkeeper only conceded 4 goals in 8 matches, helping Man City win 6 matches.
Donnarumma is proving that his £26m move from PSG was one of Pep Guardiola's best summer deals. If Man City's attack continues to be sharp with the brilliance of Erling Haaland and wingers like Jeremy Doku and Savinho, it is Donnarumma who is the "steel shield" that helps them maintain their position.
In the 90 minutes against Villarreal – the team currently ranked third in La Liga – the 26-year-old goalkeeper did not face too many dangerous shots, but each time he blocked, he exuded astonishing solidity.
Not only stopping at spectacular saves, Donnarumma also showed superiority in aerial battles, winning most of the aerial duels from Villarreal's crosses into the penalty area. According to statistics from Sofascore, Donnarumma received a score of 7.0 in this match, higher than his average in the Premier League this season (about 6.8).
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Gianluigi Donnarumma shows his class. |
Donnarumma is also showing his ability to distribute the ball safely (though not as perfectly as Ederson), and his reflexes are superb – qualities that helped him save two penalties against Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16 last season when he was at PSG. Donnarumma’s arrival has not only filled the void left by Ederson (now at Fenerbahce) but has also taken Man City’s defence to a new level.
With Guardiola's side struggling at the start of the season with two consecutive Premier League defeats, Donnarumma has helped them regain their form - winning six of the eight games he started. At just £26 million for a goalkeeper who has won the Yashin Trophy twice and played a major role in PSG's Champions League triumph in 2024/25, this is clearly a "bargain" that any big club would dream of.
Man City still have many difficulties ahead, but with Donnarumma guarding the goal, they have reason to be more confident than ever.
Source: https://znews.vn/donnarumma-la-mon-hoi-lon-cua-man-city-post1595879.html
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