Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca spoke about his two goalkeepers after a standout performance from Geronimo Rulli
Geronimo Rulli of Manchester City celebrates winning the penalty shootout against Brighton
Geronimo Rulli of Manchester City celebrates winning the penalty shootout against Brighton
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Enzo Maresca said that Geronimo Rulli was no closer to challenging Gianluigi Donnarumma for the No.1 shirt at Manchester City despite his shootout heroics against Brighton. Rulli saved two spot-kicks to send City through to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals as Donnarumma watched from the stands.
The Argentina international was signed in summer as a James Trafford replacement, who left for Leeds after being unable to challenge Donnarumma for the gloves under Pep Guardiola when both keepers signed in the same transfer window. Donnarumma has become one of the four City captains this year, but has made several errors in recent weeks that have put him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
Rulli was given the opportunity to start against Brighton and did everything asked of him, making a number of saves in normal time to keep City in the game and then coming to the fore in the shoot-out. City were up against it when Mateo Kovacic missed their fourth penalty, but successive saves from Rulli turned the battle on its head and booked the Blues a home quarter-final with League One side Bradford.
As impressive as Rulli was, Maresca will be putting Donnarumma as the first name on his teamsheet when City host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday. The former PSG stopper remains his No.1, even if Rulli has earned more appearances in the cups.
"Apart from penalties, overall he was good especially in the build-up," Maresca said of Rulli. "It was not easy because they are a team that go man to man and are aggressive.
"In the first half, we tried some long solutions with Floyd [Samba] and then in the second half we tried on the floor with Phil [Foden]. He made one good save and was good. He is working well but Rulli knows exactly his role, there is no doubt about that. Saturday it will be Gigio plus 10."
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