Manchester City's Donnarumma faces criticism as defensive pressure rises
The Italian goalkeeper has allowed more shots per game since his arrival, raising questions about his fit for Pep Guardiola's former system.
By James Foster ·
Manchester City's decision to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma last summer rested on a specific tactical logic that has since eroded.
The club had long prioritized goalkeepers who could progress the ball from the back, a role filled by Ederson. That strategy relied on Rodri's ability to constrict opponents. When Rodri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September 2024, the team lost its primary defensive anchor. Consequently, the average shots allowed per game increased from roughly 7.5 in previous seasons to 9.34 in 2024-25 and 9.71 in 2025-26. Under manager Enzo Maresca, the Premier League average has climbed further to 10.56, while the Champions League figure sits at 11 per game.
This shift in defensive structure necessitates a goalkeeper with superior shot-stopping capabilities to handle increased pressure. Donnarumma was recruited on the premise that he was the world's best in this area, having helped Paris Saint-Germain win their first Champions League title. However, recent performances suggest a discrepancy between his reputation and current form. His 6ft 5in frame has shown reduced agility in recent months, with analysts noting a lack of burst and maneuverability. At 27 years old and with 553 first-team games under his belt, physical fatigue is beginning to show in his movement.
The issues were exposed during City's 3-2 victory over Leipzig in the Champions League. Donnarumma was involved in both of Leipzig's first two goals. For the opener, he drifted three yards off his line while Riedle Baku prepared a cross, allowing a precise shot to beat him. For the second equalizer, Antonio Nusa struck from a position with a 0.2 expected goals value, producing a post-shot value of 0.65. While Erling Haaland's 13th goal against Bundesliga opponents secured the win, the goalkeeper's errors forced the outfield players to compensate. Similar mishaps occurred against Aston Villa and PSG earlier in the season.
Despite these lapses, Donnarumma has recorded positive metrics in other contexts. Across 56 games in the Premier League and Champions League, he has conceded six fewer goals than the expected goals value of the shots he faced. Last season, he ranked as one of the better pure shot-stoppers in the league. This season, his performance remains in a similar range. The debate now centers on whether a goalkeeper who is merely adequate in shot-stopping meets the elevated standards required by City's current defensive vulnerabilities.
