Enzo Maresca says there is “absolutely no doubt” Gianluigi Donnarumma remains Manchester City’s number one despite Geronimo Rulli’s decisive performance against Brighton in the EFL Cup.
Donnarumma was rested for Wednesday’s fourth-round tie at the Etihad Stadium, where Rulli saved two penalties as City won 4-3 in the shoot-out after a 2-2 draw.
Brighton went ahead twice through Malick Yalcouye and Georginio Rutter, but the holders recovered through goals from Mateo Kovacic and Vitor Reis to take the match to penalties.
Kovacic was the first player to miss, with Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele keeping out his spot-kick. Rulli then denied Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk, with Rayan Cherki scoring for City between those saves, to send Maresca’s side into the quarter-finals.
Rulli’s display came after questions had been raised about Donnarumma’s form. The Italian goalkeeper was blamed for Aston Villa’s winning goal in City’s first Premier League defeat of the season last weekend.
Donnarumma has made two errors leading to goals this term and three errors leading to shots, but Maresca dismissed the suggestion that Rulli could replace him as City’s first-choice goalkeeper.
“No, absolutely not from my point of view,” Maresca said.
“He’s working well, but he knows exactly his role and there is not any doubt about that. Absolutely no doubt.
“I think overall he was good, especially in the build-up. It was not easy because they are a team that goes man to man, aggressive.
“He made, also, one good save during the game and he was good.”
Brighton created the better opportunities despite City advancing, recording 2.03 expected goals compared with the hosts’ 0.76.
Maresca made extensive changes to his starting line-up, with Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and Elliot Anderson left out altogether. Jeremy Doku and Enzo Fernandez were introduced from the bench.
The City manager said he was satisfied with the approach, despite Brighton’s superior chance creation.
“I was happy with the way we planned the game, with the rotation, especially I was very, very happy with the ones on the pitch,” he said.
Manchester City will host third-tier Bradford City in the quarter-finals.
