Gianluigi Donnarumma said Italy showed the character of a “great team” by earning a 1-1 draw against France in the Nations League at the Stade de France.
The result followed a home defeat by Belgium and a 4-1 victory against Turkiye, leaving questions over which version of the Nazionale best reflected their progress. Their performance in Paris offered a positive answer, as Italy matched a strong France side and recovered from conceding an early goal.
Michael Olise’s free-kick took a deflection on its way past Donnarumma, but Italy equalised when Alessandro Bastoni advanced, dispossessed Lucas Da Cunha and finished the move to cancel out France’s opener.
It was the first goal Zinedine Zidane’s France had conceded since he became manager. The atmosphere had been prepared for a celebration of his reign, but Italy spoiled the occasion with a disciplined display.
“Coming here and putting in such a good performance is not something everyone can do,” Donnarumma told Sky Sport Italia.
The goalkeeper knows the stadium and city well after spending several years at Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Champions League.
“France are a phenomenal team, and even when we had to defend with a low block, we were united, so I really liked that,” he said. “I was sad after the Belgium game because it hurts me when we lose, but this is the start of a long journey, and I knew we could have a defeat.
“I am very happy with what this team is doing and we came here with a great attitude. Bastoni’s goal saw him come forward and attack them in possession, that is the attitude of a great team.”
Donnarumma was required to make seven saves, the third-highest total in an Italy match during his career.
“I am in a good period of form, I feel calm and they were good saves tonight, but I’m happy because I helped the team and it was a wonderful performance from the whole side,” he added.
France’s latest goal continued a notable trend, with each of their last 12 strikes coming after half-time. However, Les Bleus have now failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their past seven meetings with Italy.
Donnarumma also stressed the importance of giving younger players room to develop.
“The young players must be allowed the opportunity to make mistakes, because that is how you can experience and maturity. We older figures will try to help them, on and off the field, let them realise how important it is to give 100 per cent in every training session.”
Italy’s final match in this run comes against Turkiye in Bologna on Monday. Arda Guler will miss that game after being sent off during Turkiye’s 3-0 defeat by Belgium and receiving a suspension.
