Gianluigi Donnarumma: Enzo Maresca insists goalkeeper's form is 'not a concern' after Leipzig error
Enzo Maresca says Gianluigi Donnarumma's form is 'not a concern' after the Manchester City goalkeeper was caught out in Wednesday's 3-2 Champions League win at RB Leipzig.
Donnarumma was beaten at his near post for Leipzig's first goal, and had a couple of other shaky moments in Germany. The Italy international has made several uncharacteristic errors this season.
City twice took the lead, through a Castello Lukeba own goal and an Enzo Fernandez header, only to be pegged back by Ridle Baku and Antonio Nusa. Erling Haaland settled it in the 78th minute, latching on to Elliot Anderson's through ball for his 14th goal of the season.
Only a week earlier, Maresca had described his City selection as 'Gigio plus 10', after back-up Geronimo Rulli saved two penalties in a Carabao Cup shoot-out win.
Maresca urges Man City to cut out ‘silly goals’ but insists Donnarumma is no concern
The City boss was asked whether he would review the goalkeeping position during the upcoming international break, and was firm in his response.
"I'm not, to be honest. Seriously, at the moment I'm not thinking about the international break and goalkeeper situation because we are talking about a mistake," Maresca told reporters.
"It's not a concern, but it's a mistake. We recognise that, he knows that it's a mistake, but now it's 48 hours [before] Nottingham Forest away, we need to be focused on that."
Maresca did admit his side must cut out the soft goals. "I think that both goals are quite silly goals that we can avoid," he said. "I think we are creating, since day one, many chances in each game but we need to avoid conceding silly goals.
"But I'm new here. I need to know the players, they need to know me. It's four months that we are together. That's why I'm so happy, so confident, because we can only improve after this short period."
The Italian also pointed to the moment that came shortly before the error, insisting Donnarumma deserves credit as well as criticism.
"A few minutes before the mistake he has made a save that any keeper in the world is not going to do. So it's always a balance. Gigio knows that the first goal was not good but, again, he's going to do better."
