Manchester City's first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has the backing of Enzo Maresca despite recent struggles
Geronimo Rulli impressed last week during Manchester City's shootout victory over Brighton
Geronimo Rulli impressed last week during Manchester City's shootout victory over Brighton(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca might slowly be starting to come under scrutiny for his selection decisions for the first time since returning to the Etihad Stadium. Since James Trafford left for Leeds in the summer, Maresca has confirmed that Gianluigi Donnarumma is his first-choice goalkeeper. This was accepted by many, considering his performances for City last season.
However, it has been a shaky start for the Italian goalkeeper. He has been at fault for a number of goals City have conceded this season, including at Aston Villa where he let Nicolas Jackson's tame effort slip under him. Last week, Maresca gave Donnarumma, along with four other players, three days off to prepare for the busy schedule ahead.
In Donnarumma's absence, Geronimo Rulli started in goal and made himself a hero, saving two penalties in a 4-3 shootout win over Brighton. Despite his heroics, Maresca confirmed in his press conference that Donnarumma would be starting at the weekend against the Seagulls.
"I think it is one thing to say that at his moment it is Gigio plus ten, and another thing to say he is undroppable," Maresca confirmed on Friday. "They are two different things. There is no player who is undroppable but there is a moment where it is Gigio plus ten because in this moment I see it like this.
"Any player makes mistakes, [what is] important is to move on, understand the reason why, to learn from that mistake and move on. In this moment we are talking about Gigio but remember the last minutes the save at Manchester United away.
"All players make mistakes at some point of the season, sometimes it costs points and sometimes not because we are lucky but I think it's a normal process from Gigio."
Donnarumma clearly has Maresca's backing, but do you think Rulli should be given a chance? Have your say below: