“I only had one option” says Gianluigi Donnarumma on joining Manchester City | OneFootball

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is a serial winner at club and international level, faced the media for the first time since joining Manchester City in the Premier League.

Donnarumma, also known as ‘Gigi’ by those close to him, secured a clean sheet in the Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon, but now has his sights set on achieving greatness in the UEFA Champions League in his new colours.

He spoke about his connection with the Naples, the respect he has for Napoli and the family feud the game has caused in his household.

“I thank the manager [Pep Guardiola]; it’s an honour to be here and have him as my coach. It’s football history I definitely have a lot to improve, and I can still give much more,” Donnarumma said. “I was very clear that my desire was to come here, it was the only thing I wanted.

“Tomorrow will be difficult; we will do it with a huge team against a huge team – I know the city [of Naples] very well and some of my national teammates, so I know its a great team,” he added.

It has been highlighted that Erling Haaland seems to have a close relationship with the goalkeeper, and Donnarumma opened up on his new bond with the striker.

“Aside form being one of the best in the world, if not the best in the world, he’s a fantastic person and that makes him even better,” the former PSG man said.

Donnarumma spent eight years at AC Milan where he started his career at 16-years-old. With his family growing up throughout the Naples, he expanded on what a tough fixture tomorrow might be.

“The difficulties, I know how the coach [Antonio Conte] wants things, I know it will be hard to defend and attack – it will be complicated because they defend very well,” he said.

“There are new players that are very strong that have come from the Premier League, they know how to play against City,” he added. “It will be very complicated; we will have to be careful in every situation.

“In the Champions League you need to give a little extra, one of the most dangerous at Napoli is [Scott] McTominay. They defend very well so we have to be careful for the whole game because they have intuition and this is also what I’ll be saying in the changing room,” he continued. “I think they have a great team, we saw it in the first few games. My heart is close to the city.”

Donnarumma also revealed that he is prepared to disappoint his own mother, a Napoli fan herself, if it means winning the game.

“My mum is having a few issues, I am hoping she’s going to be on my side! But I am happy to play against Napoli in such a big match,” the goalkeeper said.

“My mum may be cross for one day but then she will get over it,” he chuckled.

Donnarumma’s recent post showed an image of him and his son, Leo, at the Etihad with the caption ‘Leo’s new home’.

The Italian was questioned on if his son had to pick a team, who would he support and it’s fair to say that it will be a hard choice: “I think the things he’s hearing in the house and from his grandparents, I think he is going to be a true Neapolitan.”