Pep Guardiola makes major tactical admission over Gianluigi Donnarumma at Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City may abandon their dependancy on goalkeeper’s playing with the ball at their feet when starting with Gianluigi Donnarumma between the posts.

The Italian shot-stopper only completed his move to the Etihad Stadium earlier this week, but already discussions are underway about how Pep Guardiola might adjust his system to accommodate Donnarumma’s strengths.

For years, City have relied on Ederson’s unrivalled distribution as a foundation for their possession-heavy style of play, with the Brazilian widely recognised as one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in football history.

Replacing that particular skill set was always going to be near impossible. Instead, Donnarumma offers a different profile, and one built on size, shot-stopping, presence in the box, and leadership under pressure.

His arrival could mark a subtle but important evolution in the way Pep Guardiola structures his defence, potentially asking less of his goalkeeper in possession and focusing more on his commanding qualities between the sticks.

Sunday’s Manchester derby provides the perfect backdrop for Gianluigi Donnarumma’s Premier League bow, with many watching closely to see just how much Guardiola tweaks his side’s patterns in the early weeks of the campaign.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester City’s clash against Manchester United, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on Gianluigi Donnarumma’s footwork in contrast to what the club has lost through Ederson’s exit.

“Always I try to adapt to the quality of the players. I will not demand Gigi [Donnarumma] to do something like he’s a little bit uncomfortable [with],” said Guardiola.

“We are talking about the best player I’ve ever seen in the distribution short and long in Ederson. So we didn’t take Gigi to do what Ederson has done. Gigi has another qualities.”

Continuing on what the Italy international brings that perhaps Manchester City have not had in the position, Guardiola explained, “He’s so tall, that [is what he] gives us. He’s so huge *winks*.

“All the keepers, we want them to save balls and give us confidence to the team, and personality, a big presence, on the biggest stages. Champions League he has done [it] last season, in Villa Park, in Anfield, and many games proved how good he is.

“And he is going to concede goals, that’s for sure, he’s going to concede goals. But, all of us, we are going to try to help him that it doesn’t happen.”

Looking ahead, the challenge for Manchester City will be ensuring that their build-up play remains effective without Ederson’s unrivalled passing range.

Pep Guardiola may lean more heavily on his central defenders to progress the ball from deep, while using Gianluigi Donnarumma’s aerial dominance and reflexes as a new defensive cornerstone.

At just 26 years old, Donnarumma could also represent a long-term project at the Etihad Stadium. If Guardiola successfully moulds his system to maximise the Italian’s qualities, City may not only offset the loss of Ederson but also add new dimensions to their game.