With the international break in full swing, many Manchester City fans entertained themselves on Friday night by watching new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma in action for Italy.
Man City got a £30million deal for Donnarumma over the line on transfer deadline day, with Paris Saint-Germain moving on from the goalkeeper who won them the Champions League.
However, deadline-day summer signings do not get the chance to play for their clubs right after joining, as the international break brings a halt to proceedings.
Therefore, Italy’s World Cup qualifier against Estonia was the first chance for Manchester City fans to see Donnarumma in action as their player.
Manchester City fans note Gianluigi Donnarumma’s perfect distribution vs Estonia
Gianluigi Donnarumma has not only followed in Gianluigi Buffon’s footsteps by becoming Italy’s undisputed No. 1, but he also captains the Azzurri.
The 26-year-old was superb for Italy as he kept a clean sheet en route to a 5-0 win over Estonia in Gennaro Gattuso’s first match in charge.
Better still, Donnarumma’s distribution – a point of contention among those not happy about his move to City – was solid on the night.
Needless to say, City fans are buzzing with how their new signing fared for the four-time world champions.
“Donnarumma for Italy had: 100% accurate passes and 100% accurate long balls. So much for “he can’t distribute”,” one fan wrote on X.
Another one said: “Donnarumma made 22/22 accurate passes, 2/2 accurate long balls, this is my ball playing keeper, can’t wait to see him play.”
The praise kept coming, with one City fan sarcastically saying: “But I thought Donnarumma was awful with his feet…”
Another said: “Donnarumma vs Estonia tonight: 2 saves, 100% pass completion, 100% accurate long balls, 1 diving save, 8 recoveries. We have signed a demon.”
Another sarcastically said: “Can’t play with his feet apparently…”
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The important people who have praised Gianluigi Donnarumma’s distribution
Alfredo Magni, Donnarumma’s former goalkeeping coach, has played down the criticism of the Italy star’s distribution, in conversation with the Italian press.
“The thing that leaves me amazed is Donnarumma has the aptitude to play that type of game [build-up from the back], and the fact [Pep] Guardiola wants him confirms the thesis, doesn’t it?” Magni said about Donnarumma.
Likewise, Joe Hart has also been watching Donnarumma play football since he became a first-team star at Milan aged 16, and he had equally good things to say about the keeper’s distribution.
“He is capable with his feet, more than capable,” Hart said of Donnarumma.
