English giants Manchester City took on Leeds United in the Premier League this weekend and came away with an uncomfortable win 3-2.
Phil Foden has looked sharper in recent weeks and made his improved form count in the opening moments of the game, scoring from close range after just 59 seconds. Josko Gvardiol then doubled City's lead before the break, finishing after Leeds failed to deal with a corner, in what was a dominant first half.
The second half started fast for Leeds, however, with the away team quickly pulling one back through Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Gvardiol then gave away a penalty, allowing Lukas Nmecha to score on the rebound after Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the initial effort.
It looked as though Leeds would cling on for a point but they were hit with a second Foden strike in the first minute of injury time.
Donnarumma Struggles For Man City
The Italian goalkeeper was shaky at a set-piece not long before Leeds struck through Calvert-Lewin, and that lack of dominance likely played a part in the away team growing in confidence, when they looked beaten.
There can be no doubt about Donnarumma's ability to make big saves in the big moments – as seen with his penalty save vs Nmecha – but there has always been a question about how he would fit into a Pep Guardiola team. Most notably, the former PSG star has never been good with the ball at his feet.
Couple this and his inability to deal with set pieces, despite his notable frame, and Guardiola may well be wondering if it was wise to go for Donnarumma in the summer as Ederson's replacement. The Brazilian used to give City so much control, but the Italian just doesn't offer that same level of assurance – and it nearly cost the club on the weekend.
GIVEMSPORT noted his issues vs Leeds, as he was handed a 4/10 mark in the player ratings. Writer Tyler Fell wrote:
"A match to forget for the Italian. Donnarumma not only looked shaky pretty much every time a cross or a high ball was lofted into his penalty area."
He also picked up a yellow card, a fourth of the season, suggesting the pressure of the Premier League has got to him at times.
Fans Slam 'Poor' Donnarumma vs Leeds
Manchester City's Gianluigi Donnarumma down injured vs Leeds
Man City fans also weren't happy with what they saw at the Etihad. Many singled out Donnarumma for criticism, with one writing:
"We are playing with 10 men with Donnarumma."
Another remarked, "Conceding against Leeds, get Donnarumma out of my club." While a third added: "Donnarumma is just very poor."
One more wrote: "Donnarumma's decision-making is spooky." With another saying: "What is that Donnarumma? What a terrible keeper. How are you that tall yet can’t catch a ball."
Another added: "Donnarumma sort yourself out man, you’re joking." A final supporter summed up the mood, noting: "Donarumma is slowly starting to become a net negative, like a lot of us thought."