Gianluigi Donnarumma has returned to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a new team, but very much the same ambitions.
Manchester City were left with a mountain to climb against Real Madrid following their 3-0 first-leg defeat, but Donnarumma’s fine save from Vinícius Júnior’s penalty means they still have a glimmer of hope ahead of the return leg on Tuesday.
Sitting down with UEFA ahead of the tie, the Italian shot-stopper spoke about his renewed title ambitions, his ‘new home’ and his fearless approach to high-pressure games.
As it happened: Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
Rewind to last March and Donnarumma was navigating another titanic round of 16 tie as his Paris side took on league phase table-toppers Liverpool.
Luis Enrique’s side were set back with a 1-0 home defeat in the first leg but levelled the tie at Anfield before prevailing in the penalty shoot-out, with Donnarumma saving two spot-kicks.
“It was so emotional,” Donnarumma reflects. “That was a tough match because we were going there off the back of a 1-0 defeat at home in the first leg. Turning that round at Anfield is a very difficult challenge.
“But the truth is that we really believed in ourselves and that gave us the strength to make a comeback in that amazing match. I hope to have those same feelings again.”
Gianluigi Donnarumma saves from Curtis Jones in the shoot-outGetty Images
Donnarumma is chasing familiar feelings this term, but he is doing so in fresh surroundings following a summer move to Manchester City – “a tough choice to make, but a meaningful and very positive one too,” in his words.
The UEFA EURO 2020 winner has made the transition look easy, however, not least in the Champions League where he made seven league phase appearances and kept three clean sheets.
“It just feels like home. The people here are amazing and I really hope I’ll stay for years to come and that I’ll leave a mark at this club,” he beams.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has high praise for coach Pep GuardiolaGetty Images
Donnarumma is also delighting in the tutelage of coach Pep Guardiola, who has unlocked new parts of his already well-rounded game.
“It’s an honour for me to be coached by him. I always learn new things at every training session,” Donnarumma says. “In every single session, I try to focus on something I can improve on, and he really helps – not just me but everyone else – to keep improving and to try and give 200% in every single match and every single moment.”
With absolute faith in his coach – the ‘best in the world’ by his estimation – and the glittering talents of his team-mates, Donnarumma will still be dreaming of a return to the Champions League showpiece despite that difficult first leg against Madrid.
“I’ll give it my all – and so will the whole team – to be able to achieve our goals,” he says.
“We’re just taking each match as it comes, and we’ll see where we end up, but, obviously, it’s one of our goals as a team, and we’ll try our best to go all the way.”
Tough moments and tough opposition must be overcome if that dream is to become reality, but that is something Donnarumma will relish, not run from.
“On the pitch, I’ve never been scared of anyone,” he explains. “I’ve played in some important matches, so I have a lot of experience now. When I’m on the pitch, there’s no such thing as fear, just a lot of respect [for the opponent].”