Maresca urges Man City to limit risky passes to Donnarumma
Manchester City began their Champions League league-phase campaign with a 2-0 win at FC Porto, but Enzo Maresca has asked his players to be more selective when using Gianluigi Donnarumma in possession after another uneasy moment for the goalkeeper.
Why Donnarumma’s distribution is becoming a City issue
| Match | Result | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| FC Porto vs Manchester City | 0-2 | Erling Haaland scored both goals at Estádio do Dragão |
| Manchester City vs Coventry City | 1-0 | Donnarumma made important saves but was involved in a near miss |
| Next Champions League fixture | Paris Saint-Germain | City face the reigning European champions next month |
Haaland settled the contest in Portugal with two second-half finishes, giving City a successful opening to the competition before their meeting with Paris Saint-Germain on the second matchday.
Donnarumma, however, endured a difficult evening on the ball. One attempted clearance struck Porto winger William Gomes and spun narrowly beyond the post, leaving City close to conceding an avoidable goal.
The Italy goalkeeper had also been fortunate in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Coventry City, when the ball ran beneath his feet during an incident that nearly led to an equaliser. Maresca nevertheless made clear that he does not regard the goalkeeper as the main problem.
The City manager said several passes back to Donnarumma against Porto had been the wrong choice, arguing that players should seek a forward or wider option unless the goalkeeper is their only available outlet.
Maresca also defended Donnarumma’s Coventry display, pointing to important saves made by the former AC Milan and PSG No. 1. He said the near concession in that game had stemmed from Abdukhodir Khusanov’s decision to return the ball to the goalkeeper rather than from Donnarumma alone.
“I am very happy with Gigio,” Maresca said, while stressing that City must avoid playing back to him more often than necessary.
Bouaddi earns praise on first City start
Ayyoub Bouaddi made his first Manchester City start alongside Enzo Fernández, the £125 million summer arrival, in Porto. Maresca said the 18-year-old’s composure had justified the club’s £85 million move to bring him in from Lille.
The manager highlighted Bouaddi’s response during the Coventry match, when the midfielder lost possession twice but quickly recovered his position inside City’s penalty area without panicking. Maresca described the Morocco international as unusually mature and calm for his age.
He said it was natural to expect experienced players such as Haaland, Ruben Dias and Mateo Kovacic to handle a demanding European away match, but believed Bouaddi’s display at 18 stood out.
Maresca added that the club had made a major effort to recruit Fernández, Bouaddi and Elliot Anderson, and said his responsibility now is to develop and deploy the three additions properly.
