Enzo Maresca criticised his Manchester City stars for passing the ball back to Gianluigi Donnarumma too many times - in a public display of doubt in his goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma had another shaky performance as Man City beat FC Porto
Gianluigi Donnarumma had another shaky performance as Man City beat FC Porto
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There is said to have been some surprise amongst senior figures at Manchester City that Gianluigi Donnarumma didn't make the shortlist for world goalkeeper of the year.
Not least when those same people discovered Vozinha had done - on the back of just two impressive performances for Cape Verde at the World Cup.
But imagine the surprise at Enzo Maresca's comments about Donnarumma, following his side's opening Champions League win in Porto?
Despite insisting he was "happy" with the Italian international, in the same breath Maresca ordered his players to reduce the number of back passes to Donnarumma.
Donnarumma endured a nervous performance in Portugal. He almost conceded an embarrassing goal when his clearance rebounded off William Gomes, before bouncing wide of the post.
While during last weekend's tense win over Coventry City, Donnarumma almost conceded when letting the ball run under his feet.
"I think a few times it's not a Gigio mistake, it's more for me the wrong decision to go back to Gigio," said Maresca. "We can go back to the keeper when we don't have another option, but the players need to find the other option."
A show of Italian solidarity is understandable.
Maresca has been at the Etihad two minutes, so criticising a keeper Pep Guardiola made a big deal of signing from Paris Saint Germain in 2025, would be tantamount to claiming the Spanish genius got that one wrong.
Pep Guardiola was desperate to land the Italian keeper - his successor doesn't appear as keen
Pep Guardiola was desperate to land the Italian keeper - his successor doesn't appear as keen
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But blaming the rest of the team for giving Donnarumma the ball too often is not a good look. What the rest of the dressing room make of Maresca's comments is anyone's guess.
Donnarumma cost almost £30m, and was handed a five-year-deal which made him one of the highest paid stars in the squad. So it feels a bit rich Maresca is now suggesting he doesn't want his keeper having the ball too often.
Donnarumma was also handed instructions to make sure the bloke he'd replaced wouldn't be missed. But the difference between Ederson and Donnarumma in their respective ability and confidence when having the ball, is like chalk and cheese.
The distribution of goalkeepers at the highest level has become crucial to a team's success. Manuel Neuer became the first 'sweeper keeper'. Countless others have followed, having worked hard to improve this part of their game.
Enzo Maresca made some eye-opening comments after City's win over Porto
Enzo Maresca made some eye-opening comments after City's win over Porto
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It cost Joe Hart his job at the Etihad when Guardiola took charge in 2016. Guardiola didn't believe Hart suited the style of play he wanted to implement.
The same thing happened to Andre Onana across town at Manchester United.
When it became clear PSG were willing to sell Donnarumma, United were interested in signing him, but changed their minds when they discovered what wages he was on. They're probably glad they did now.
Because all Maresca's comments have done is undermine Donnarumma's all-round game. While at the same time, putting doubts in the minds of his team-mates that they might just have a keeper they cannot trust.