Rulli provides heroics for Manchester City, but Donnarumma's place is not in doubt
Manchester City goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli played on Wednesday night after first-choice keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was given time off. Coach Maresca praised Rulli's display and described Donnarumma's mistakes as something to put right.
Gerónimo Rulli, Manchester City's reserve goalkeeper, drew attention on Wednesday night in a football match that included a penalty shootout. The source text does not say which competition it was or who the opponent was. It does stress that Rulli is no stranger to such moments.
Earlier experience
In the 2021 Europa League final, playing for Villarreal, Rulli scored a penalty against Manchester United and then saved from David de Gea to decide the long shootout. He had spent the 2016-17 season at City without a first-team appearance. He has now returned to the club to replace James Trafford, the England international who moved to Leeds for £45m.
The coach and Donnarumma
Before the game, City coach Maresca said Rulli was "doing well" and "knows exactly his role" as understudy to Italian goalkeeper Donnarumma. He repeated that message after the match. Donnarumma, along with Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Josko Gvardiol, has been given three days off to "recover the energy". Donnarumma was at fault for Aston Villa's second goal last weekend, and Maresca acknowledged he has been "making some mistakes".
Of Rulli, the coach said that, apart from penalties, he was good overall, especially in build-up play. The opposition played man to man and aggressively. In the first half City tried long passes towards Floyd Samba, and in the second half they played on the ground with Phil Foden. Rulli made one good save.
