One of Manchester City’s new signings will be especially eager to make a big impression against Manchester United after a difficult international break.
The Citizens host their bitter rivals this weekend, with Pep Guardiola’s side desperately needing three points along with the bragging rights.
Manchester City have picked up just three points from their opening three games, so they’ll be more determined than ever to get one over on their rivals.
It will be the first taste of a Manchester derby for several City players, and in one individual’s case, he may well experience it as his debut.
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Gianluigi Donnarumma may feel he has a point to prove against Manchester United
Man City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma on deadline day after he fell out of favour at Paris Saint-Germain.
As is the norm with late summer signings, Donnarumma couldn’t stick around at the Etihad Campus as he had to jet off on international duty.
Although Italy’s September international break appeared to have gone well, with the Azzurri winning both of their games, there was more to it than meets the eye.
Italy twice had to come from behind against Israel and then wasted a two-goal lead before a late goal gave them a 5-4 victory.
While it was a great game for the neutrals, it was a wasted opportunity for Italy in terms of their goal difference, especially considering how Norway got on the next day.
And while Donnarumma didn’t actually do badly in Italy’s win over Israel, he would have still been embarrassed to be on the receiving end of four goals.
Donnarumma is the best shot-stopper in the world and arguably the best goalkeeper in the world as a whole, yet his move to City has been met with considerable criticism.
Some think Donnarumma’s distribution is not suitable for City, while others think James Trafford has been hard done by after he joined the club just a few weeks prior.
Criticism of Donnarumma only increased after Italy conceded four goals to Israel, so he’ll be determined to hit the ground running at City and silence those doubters.
Obviously it remains to be seen whether Donnarumma will start against Man United, but he will fancy his chances of replacing Trafford in the starting XI.
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What Joe Hart said about Gianluigi Donnarumma’s distribution
While Donnarumma’s distribution has been criticised, he actually did fairly well with his feet against both Estonia and Israel.
Donnarumma boasted a pass accuracy and long ball accuracy of 100 percent against Estonia and, while he didn’t have a perfect record against Israel, it wasn’t bad either.
Joe Hart recently said that Donnarumma is “more than capable” with his feet and that he “can hold his nerve” in games, having followed him since he broke into the AC Milan first team.
“He is capable with his feet, more than capable,” said Hart. “I’ve watched him play under pressure for Italy, I’ve watched him from 16 years old.
“There’s a man that can hold his nerve. For AC Milan all the way through and then he goes to PSG and helps to win their first Champions League trophy.”
