Donnarumma at Manchester City, same brilliance and flaws, under the spotlight at Real Madrid | OneFootball

Since joining Manchester City three months ago, Gianluigi Donnarumma has shown the same mix of game-changing saves and recurring weaknesses seen at PSG. He will be under close scrutiny at Real Madrid on Wednesday at 21:00.

According to L'Équipe, the Bernabéu meeting also invites comparison with Thibaut Courtois, while the anticipated Erling Haaland v Kylian Mbappé duel is unlikely, with the Frenchman probably out.

Despite recent setbacks with the national team, the 26-year-old remains a reference in his position, having won the Yashin Trophy in late September. His form is comparable to the run that helped PSG to a 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan on 31 May.

He has delivered spectacular stops that underpinned City victories, including a flying save from a Bryan Mbeumo volley in a 3-0 win over Manchester United on 14 September, which earned Premier League Save of the Month, and a one-on-one success at Brentford on 5 October that finished 1-0. He also dominated aerially there and in Liverpool v PSG’s second leg on 11 March, and Pep Guardiola felt City could rely on him to claim from corners, long balls and throws.

Since then his exits have been less assured, including a corner punched poorly that led to a goal against Bournemouth in a 3-1 win on 2 November, plus bookings for dissent there and at Newcastle in a 1-2 defeat on 22 November. Former Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon says he must impose himself better in his area and still struggles with reading depth and short passing.

That distribution issue, central to his departure from Paris in September, has so far harmed City little because he is rarely used in build-up. He averages 31.8 touches per match, only the 21st busiest among Premier League regulars, and an agent connected to a City player argues his saves have stabilised the defence but his passing can cede control.

Source: L'Équipe