Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has reiterated his support for Gianluigi Donnarumma but said the Italian goalkeeper knows he’s made mistakes.
Donnarumma was at fault for RB Leipzig‘s second goal in City’s 3-2 win over the German side on Wednesday when he let Ridle Baku‘s tame effort sneak in at his near post.
He was almost caught out again when a second-half free-kick looped over his head and hit the crossbar.
And while Maresca gave no indication he is ready to replace the 27-year-old in goal, he acknowledged Donnarumma has made some avoidable errors.
“Overall he’s good,” Maresca told a news conference on Friday.
“He’s quite relaxed in terms of he recognises that he has made some mistakes, but at the same time he has also made some good saves. It’s just a matter of balance. Try to avoid mistakes and continue to do the right things.”
Donnarumma’s patchy form this season has led to questions about his place in the City team.
But Maresca has repeatedly backed the former AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain keeper and he’s expected to keep the gloves for the visit to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
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The only other option for the City boss is to pick No.2 Gerónimo Rulli, who has made just two appearances in the Carabao Cup this season following his arrival from Marseilles in the summer.
“There are players who, when they make mistakes, you need to have conversations with them and there are players who you just need eye contact,” Maresca said.
“With Gigio it’s easy because every time he has made something that was not correct he recognises immediately. I spoke with him, but sometimes you don’t need to be so deep with some players and recognise that.”
