Italian media outlets have all commented on Gianluigi Donnarumma following his final game for Italy before linking up with Manchester City after his move from Paris Saint-Germain. The Champions League winner was unexpectedly deemed surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes after manager Luis Enrique prioritised a ball-playing goalkeeper, bringing in Lucas Chevalier as his new number one.
Donnarumma would end up moving to the Etihad on deadline day as the replacement for former long-serving shot-stopper Ederson. However, Italian media have now reacted following the 6ft 5in behemoth's latest showing in international colours.
Fans React to Donnarumma's Performance vs Israel
With the score finishing 5-4 in the Italian's favour, it is fair to say that Donnarumma didn't have the most efficient of performances in between the sticks. However, regardless of the goals he conceded, it was still not a display that saw the 26-year-old cover himself in much glory.
Donnarumma's first action of the contest saw him punch the ball into his own net from a corner, though his blushes were spared after play was pulled back for an impediment. There was little he could do to prevent Israel's eventual opener – a Manuel Locatelli own goal – but things didn’t improve much from there.
The Italian looked erratic when dealing with multiple threats, appearing uncertain on crosses. He would go on to concede another three times, with the final goal arguably his worst moment as he failed to deal with a long ball into the box, nor the resulting header that set up Dor Peretz for a tap-in practically on the goal line.
It was hardly a game to remember for Donnarumma, and the Italian media did not hold back with their criticism. Il Messaggero called him ‘unrecognisable’ while Corriere della Sera added that he was "not his usual Gigio."
"He’s especially clumsy when coming out," was the verdict from Leggo, as Virgil Sport noted that he "immediately makes a mistake with his feet that proves Luis Enrique right and worries Guardiola."
Football Italia commented on the new City recruit, noting that the goalkeeper was "a bit shaky when coming off his goal line" despite making a couple of good saves.
Fans were also critical, with some branding Donnarumma 'Onana-esque' and pointing out the similarity between his disallowed own-goal punch and the one Altay Bayindir conceded against Arsenal, suggesting the Italian could struggle with the physicality of the Premier League. There were even some who claimed that the favourite to win this year's Yashin award was overrated.
One fan noted that: "This is default Donnarumma. He's a good keeper but he's been vastly overrated because of [PSG's] late Champions League run last season," while a second stated that the Italian was "The most overrated goalkeeper of all time."
Donnarumma may even face Bayindir in his first outing for City, with a Manchester derby set as their first fixture after the international break.