MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City knew they were getting perhaps the world’s best shot-stopper. Signed with Gianluigi Donnarumma as the team’s first-choice goalie this season.
However, the Italian international’s problem was his weakness against the ball at his feet.
Unfortunately for City, it showed in Sunday’s biggest game of the season.
Moments after City took the lead through Rayan Cherki’s goal in the long-awaited Premier League title race against Arsenal, Donnarumma received a backpass from Matheus Nunez.
There appeared to be little danger when Donnarumma took a touch, but Donnarumma got a quick touch on the ball, allowing Arsenal forward Kai Havertz to contain Donnarumma. Donnarumma attempted a hasty clearance, but the ball hit Havertz’s outstretched leg and bounced into the net, a nightmare that continued.
Donnarumma looked down at the ground, distraught. Many of City’s team-mates ran to the goalkeeper and consoled him.
Being able to pass the ball from the back was generally a prerequisite for City manager Josep Guardiola’s goalkeepers.
That’s why Donnarumma’s signing appeared to be at odds with City’s approach to play, which is reflected in long-serving goalkeeper Ederson Moraes’ style of collecting passes and calm under pressure with the ball at his feet over the past eight years.
Donnarumma vowed to improve He was denied passes from the back on his arrival at City, but that problem proved costly, giving Arsenal a way back into the game at 1-1 at half-time at the Etihad Stadium.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
