Gianluigi Donnarumma was still riding the high of Manchester City’s recent derby triumph when he sat down at the club’s training complex for a chat with Sky Sports. While the controversial last‑minute winner from Erling Haaland drew most of the headlines, the goalkeeper was more focused on the collective grit his side displayed, especially after Phil Foden’s harsh dismissal earlier in the match. “I loved my teammates' performance – it was sublime,” Donnarumma said.
“The ability to stay in the game, to respond to the toughest moments, that’s something no one can take away from us.” He added that every player gives everything for the shirt and the club that offers such massive support and a storied history, and that they all feel a duty to give back. City entered the derby with a perfect record for the season, a feat that seemed increasingly fragile as the international break loomed and the squad had already said goodbye to several pillars of Pep Guardiola’s era – Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri. Yet, despite a few uneven displays, Donnarumma acknowledged that the team still has plenty to learn even after a flawless start to the Enzo Maresca era.
The Italian goalkeeper was quick to dismiss the label of a "transition" season. “I don’t really like the word ‘transition’,” he explained. “The club’s objective is to win, and this team’s objective is the same. We will give everything we can to achieve that.” He stressed that the season could end with trophies or without any, but the crucial factor is maintaining a winning mentality and striving for every possible victory.
Donnarumma is now part of a newly‑formed leadership group that replaces the departed veterans. He sits alongside Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Marc Guehi in the hierarchy, each of them boasting multiple titles from their time at City and elsewhere. Their shared experience is intended to guide the newer faces – Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye – as they settle into a squad that, according to Donnarumma, is no longer in a rebuilding phase but primed for immediate impact. “We’ve brought in a few new players, all of whom are accustomed to big‑stage pressure and the rigors of the Premier League,” he said.
“It isn’t easy at first – a new club, a new city – but they are adapting well and we are doing everything to make them feel at home.” The existing squad, he noted, is helping the newcomers integrate, and the collective belief is that a great season lies ahead. The ambitions extend beyond the league. Donnarumma outlined a clear target: to compete for every trophy on offer – the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup. This comprehensive goal sends a strong message that City will not settle for anything less than a full sweep of silverware.
One obvious obstacle on that road is Arsenal, who have also started the campaign with five straight wins and enjoy the psychological boost of having edged City to the Premier League title last May. The recent Guardiola documentary highlighted the disappointment that fell over City players after a slip‑up at Bournemouth handed the Gunners the crown, a moment that still lingers for Donnarumma, who had collected five consecutive league titles before that season.
Reflecting on that setback, he said, “It’s difficult, but that’s football, that’s life. You aren’t alone – there are other strong teams, especially in the Premier League. Disappointment is part of the game, but it exists because competition is fierce, both domestically and in Europe.” He stressed the importance of approaching every match with a win‑or‑die attitude, noting that the club’s history demands relentless effort and ambition.
When asked whether City and Arsenal will once again dominate the top of the table in May, Donnarumma was cautious. “I don’t know. We’re only four games into the season,” he admitted. “Our focus now is on working hard and trying to win every game.
That is our objective. Whether we achieve it in the end or not, only time will tell.” Beyond the league, City fans can look forward to a Carabao Cup third‑round clash with Norwich City on Thursday night and a Premier League showdown with Sunderland on Super Sunday.
Both fixtures provide further opportunities for the squad to cement its winning mentality and demonstrate that, contrary to whispers of transition, Manchester City are poised for a season of ambition, resilience and, hopefully, plenty of trophies.