Maresca confirms Donnarumma will start against Brighton

Gianluigi Donnarumma’s early-season errors have drawn criticism and prompted questions about his place. Speculation intensified further after reserve goalkeeper Jerónimo Rulli impressed in the midweek League Cup victory over Brighton. At a press conference, Enzo Maresca nevertheless confirmed that Donnarumma would return as the starter against Brighton at the Etihad Stadium.

The teams had met on Wednesday in the League Cup. After a 2-2 draw, Manchester City secured qualification on penalties, with Rulli saving two attempts. For the next meeting with Brighton, Maresca has therefore opted to put Donnarumma back in the starting lineup.

The Manchester City manager was careful, however, to distinguish being first choice from having a guaranteed starting place. “I think there is a difference between saying that Donnarumma is currently the first choice and saying that he cannot be left out of the lineup; those are two different things,” he said. He added: “No player can be safe from being left out, but at the moment I consider Donnarumma the first choice, and that is my assessment of the situation.”

The message is twofold: Donnarumma currently has his manager’s preference, but his place is not assured in the longer term. That distinction comes as Rulli’s performance against Brighton has put the competition for the position back in focus. Maresca’s confirmation for the next match does not amount to a guarantee beyond it.

The manager expects an attacking opponent. “It will be a difficult match. Whatever the competition or the lineup they use, they always try to take the initiative and attack, push a lot of players forward, score a lot of goals and create many chances,” he said of Brighton.

Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler had earlier spoken of wanting revenge after the League Cup penalty defeat and said Manchester City had been fortunate in their last meeting. Maresca responded that he respected his counterpart’s view: “That is what he said, and every coach has the right to express his point of view. It all depends on what you see with your own eyes, and I respect what he said.”

Donnarumma is therefore the confirmed starter against Brighton, while Maresca’s comments leave the goalkeeping contest open beyond that match.