Enzo Maresca Issues Update on Gianluigi Donnarumma's Future After Latest Man City Error
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Gianluigi Donnarumma: One of Man City's most divisive figures?
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Manchester City had to take the lead on three separate occasions in eastern Germany on Wednesday night amid a spirited and testing showing from a Martin Demichelis-led RB Leipzig side.
Off the back of a 5-1 victory over AEK Athens on matchday three of the league phase, City knew that with a trip to Barcelona in December following a home clash with Napoli later this month, victory would likely be required to hold on to their top-eight place.
A Castello Lukeba own goal gave City the lead shortly before the half-time interval at the Red Bull Arena, before Ridle Baku would equalise shortly after the break. Enzo Fernandez regained the lead as he bulleted home a header from an in-swinging Iliman Ndiaye cross.
However, Antonio Nusa would bring the scoreline back level shortly after the hour-mark, before Erling Haaland would step up to score his 62nd UEFA Champions League goal in just his 61st appearance in the competition.
But the spotlight was placed on Gianluigi Donnarumma after the contest after several shaky moments once again between the sticks for the Manchester City No.1, including an error leading to one of Leipzig's strikes.
Highlighting Ridle Baku's equalising goal in particular, which took advantage of a gaping hole between Gianluigi Donnarumma and his near-post from a crossing position, Enzo Maresca was quizzed on whether the Italian's growing list of errors was now a 'concern'.
"It's not a concern, but it's a mistake," Maresca responded to reporters during his post-match media duties from the Red Bull Arena on Thursday night.
The Manchester City manager continued, "He recognises, he knows that it's a mistake. And now, in 48 hours, it's Nottingham Forest away [and] we need to be focussed on that. And then, we have an international break and we can see different things.”
With the final international break of the calendar year firmly upon clubs across the globe, Enzo Maresca was further questioned on whether the pause from Manchester City action will act as an opportunity to reflect on matters - including the goalkeeping picture.
"I'm not thinking about the goalkeeper situation," Maresca doubled-down in defence of his mainstay first-choice shot-stopper.
"We're talking about a mistake, but a few minutes before, he's done a save that any keeper in the world, they're not going to do that save!
"So it's always a balance... And Gigio knows that the first goal was not good, but he's going to do better!"
One final test before the international break
Manchester City's players and staff must retain their focus on strong performance levels from their outing in Germany this week as they take on a final clash before the pause for international commitments in November.
Up next for Enzo Maresca and his players is a clash away at the City Ground to face Oliver Glasner's struggling Nottingham Forest side, hoping to bounce back from a narrow 0-1 home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League last time out.
Manchester City are due to arrive back in the north-west of England in the early hours of Thursday morning having departed Leipzig after the victory in Germany, with a recovery session due later in the day.