Manchester City goalkeeper Donnarumma concedes as Leipzig forces win
City’s new shot-stopping focus is under pressure as their keeper struggles to keep up with increased opponent volume.
By Connor Murphy ·
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to stop Leipzig’s first goal, allowing a cross from Riedle Baku to slip past him as the visitors took an early lead in a 3-2 defeat for Leipzig in the Champions League. The error forced City’s defenders to work harder and eventually gave Leipzig the upper hand in a match where City’s defense looked vulnerable.
The pressure on the goalkeeper position has grown since Rodri tore his ACL in September 2024. That injury ended City’s ability to dominate possession and cut off counter-attacks. In the four seasons before that injury, City allowed about 7.5 shots per game. Last season, that number rose to 9.34. This season, under manager Enzo Maresca, the average has climbed to 10.56 in the Premier League and 11 per game in the Champions League.
City signed Donnarumma in the summer to address this specific problem. The club moved away from its ten-year history of hiring goalkeepers who can keep and progress the ball, like Ederson. Instead, they wanted a specialist who could keep shots out. Donnarumma, a 27-year-old with 553 first-team games, was brought in as the world’s best shot-stopper after leading Paris Saint-Germain to their first Champions League title.
The results have not matched the hype. In 56 games across the Premier League and Champions League this season, Donnarumma has conceded six fewer goals than the post-shot expected goals value of the shots he faced. That suggests he is performing at a high level, but the recent errors in Leipzig and previous matches show gaps in his movement.
In the Leipzig match, Donnarumma drifted three yards off his line as Baku prepared to cross. The gap allowed the ball to reach the target without Donnarumma reacting in time. Replays showed Baku hitting the ball precisely into that space. Donnarumma also struggled with a 0.2 expected goals shot from Antonio Nusa, which hit the post. The shot’s post-shot value was 0.65, indicating it was very difficult to save.
Erling Haaland scored his 13th goal in nine matches against Bundesliga teams to secure the win for City. The outfield players had to cover for their keeper’s mistakes, a burden they could not always bear. In a recent match against Aston Villa, Donnarumma let Nicolas Jackson’s shot through his gloves. In a loss to PSG at the Etihad Stadium, he was outmaneuvered by Desire Doue and Vitinha.
Donnarumma is 6 feet 5 inches tall but lacks the quick reflexes needed for the current style of play. His movement in recent months shows signs of fatigue after 12 years as a first-team player. He has made good saves, including a diving stop of Christoph Baumgartner’s long-range strike in Leipzig. However, the team now relies on him to be more than just adequate because his distribution ability is limited.
City’s new approach requires a goalkeeper who can consistently stop shots at a high rate. Donnarumma has been competent, but the club hired him to be exceptional. The difference between fine and world-class is becoming a factor in City’s results as they face teams that play on the front foot.
