Donnarumma Lauds Maresca's Leadership as City Aims for Continued Success

Donnarumma Commends Manager's Impact

Guwahati, Sept 20: Gianluigi Donnarumma, the goalkeeper for Manchester City, has expressed his admiration for manager Enzo Maresca, highlighting his meticulous approach and ability to maximize player potential as the team enjoys a strong start to the 2026-27 Premier League season.

So far, City has triumphed in all four of their league matches, including a notable 1-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 13, despite being down to ten players for a significant portion of the game.

As they prepare for their upcoming home match against Sunderland, Donnarumma shared insights about Maresca and reflected on the derby performance in an exclusive interview with a media outlet.

Having previously competed against Maresca, Donnarumma described him as an exceptional manager.

“As an opponent, I unfortunately lost a final to Mr. Maresca, so I was already aware of his capabilities and what he would bring to our team. I am genuinely pleased with the manager; he possesses great enthusiasm, pays close attention to detail, and we have an outstanding group,” Donnarumma remarked.

“He instills tremendous enthusiasm in us, and we are all eager to work under his guidance. He provides so much support and manages to bring out the best in each of us. This is a vital quality, and I take great pride in working for him and absorbing his insights. It truly is special.”

Reflecting on the Manchester derby, Donnarumma expressed pride in how his teammates reacted after being reduced to ten men.

Erling Haaland's goal in the 60th minute secured the victory for City.

“A derby is always unique; it’s a special encounter. We were down to ten men early in the first half, yet the team gave their all. We maintained possession, challenged our opponents, and I believe we delivered a remarkable performance characterized by sacrifice and effective ball management,” he stated.

“It was challenging, especially at Old Trafford, which is typically a tough venue, but even more so with ten players. I believe the team exerted maximum effort, and we earned the win based on our performance throughout the match.”

Donnarumma emphasized that the match showcased the character City aims to cultivate under Maresca, particularly their resilience in tough situations.

“This is our identity: a team that never surrenders, with immense quality and a determination to demonstrate that we can overcome any challenge. That is paramount, and I am genuinely proud of my teammates and the sacrifices they made,” he added.

Looking forward to the clash with Sunderland, Donnarumma anticipates another challenging match and underscored the necessity for thorough preparation.

“Like every match, it will be tough and complex. We must prepare diligently and give our all, as always. Each game has its own narrative and challenges,” he noted.

“Thus, we need to prepare thoroughly, give 100%, and I am confident we will deliver an excellent performance and strive for another crucial victory.”