Man City Manager Grants Goalkeeper Holiday After Criticism
Enzo Maresca gives Gianluigi Donnarumma and four other key players a three-day break following a recent defeat.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has granted goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma a three-day holiday, along with four other frequently utilized players, following the team's recent loss to Aston Villa. Donnarumma, alongside Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson, and Josko Gvardiol, were given the break as they have been nearly ever-present in the team this season.
Donnarumma faced criticism after the match, with some observers highlighting his performance in the defeat. He was considered at fault for two goals in a previous Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain. Maresca stated that the break is intended to manage player fatigue, not as a direct response to individual errors.
"As a football player or manager, when you don't get results or make some mistakes it [criticism] is normal," Maresca said. "It's a consequence. Gigio, since we started, is doing well.
"Like any player or any manager at some point, he is making some mistakes but it's part of the season. They play so many games and minutes that sometimes it's impossible not to make some mistakes. He's quite a strong guy. He knows that when he makes some mistake, he doesn't need us to tell him. Sometimes it's so clear, so they recognise that. It's part of the game."
Maresca added that Donnarumma does not require specific debriefs on individual errors and is being rested ahead of an upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Brighton. Geronimo Rulli is expected to deputize in goal for that match.
Since the start of last season, Donnarumma and Marc Guehi have each made three errors directly leading to goals in the Premier League. Guehi, who joined from Crystal Palace, was noted as being at fault for Aston Villa's opening goal in their recent match, following a similar incident the previous weekend against Ipswich Town.
"I am completely happy with Marc, because the way he reacts it is fantastic," Maresca commented on Guehi's performance. "He is a top guy. He is one of the captains, he is a leader and I love Marc to be honest.
"Same as Gigio, when they make some mistakes, they recognise it. Marc is aware now. He has played all the minutes since the start of the season with us and the international team."
Maresca backed Donnarumma and Guehi to recover from recent errors, emphasizing their awareness of their own performances and their roles within the team.