Enzo Maresca has backed Gianluigi Donnarumma to recapture his form after Manchester City gave the goalkeeper a three-day holiday following defeat by Aston Villa.
The Italy international was handed the break alongside Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Josko Gvardiol, with the quintet having been nearly ever present so far this season.
Donnarumma was criticised for failing to prevent Nicolas Jackson scoring Villa’s second on Saturday and was considered at fault for two goals as City lost a Champions League thriller to Paris Saint-Germain.
Maresca claimed that his No 1 does not require debriefs on individual errors and is being rested for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Brighton. Geronimo Rulli will deputise, as he did in the last round.
‘As a football player or manager, when you don’t get results or make some mistakes it [criticism] is normal,’ said the City boss. ‘It’s a consequence. Gigio, since we started, is doing well.
‘Like any player or any manager at some point, he is making some mistakes but it’s part of the season. They play so many games and minutes that sometimes it’s impossible not to make some mistakes.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was criticised for failing to prevent two goals from Nicolas Jackson
He cut a lonely figure at Villa Park during City’s first league defeat of the season
‘He’s quite a strong guy. He knows that when he makes some mistake, he doesn’t need us to tell him. Sometimes it’s so clear, so they recognise that. It’s part of the game.’
Donnarumma and Marc Guehi have made the most errors directly leading to goals in the Premier League since the start of last season, recording three each.
Guehi, a January signing from Crystal Palace, was at fault for Villa’s opener having struggled against Ipswich Town the weekend before.
‘I am completely happy with Marc, because the way he reacts it is fantastic,’ Maresca added. ‘He is a top guy. He is one of the captains, he is a leader and I love Marc to be honest.
‘Same as Gigio, when they make some mistakes, they recognise it. Marc is aware now. He has played all the minutes since the start of the season with us and the international team.’
