Gianluigi Donnarumma still feels the after‑glow of Manchester City’s recent derby triumph as he sits in the club’s training complex, reflecting on the performance that secured the win. While the controversial late goal from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden’s harsh red card have dominated headlines, Donnarumma is more focused on the collective resilience his teammates displayed.
"We were a man down, the odds were stacked against us, yet we showed true character and came out on top," he told Sky Sports. "The way my teammates responded to the pressure was simply superb.
No one can take that fighting spirit away from us. He added that every player on the pitch gave everything for the shirt and for a club that has consistently offered its supporters unparalleled support and a storied legacy. "We owe a lot to this history and we intend to give back in equal measure," Donnarumma said. City entered the international break with an unbeaten record, a rare feat after the departure of long‑time stalwarts Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri, who were central to Pep Guardiola’s dominant era.
Despite a flawless start under the new leadership of Enzo Maresca, Donnarumma admitted the side still has areas to improve. "I don’t really like the word ‘transition,’" he remarked.
"Our aim is simple: we want to win, and we will give everything we have to achieve that. The goalkeeper’s comments came alongside a slew of other football news items, ranging from Mauricio Pochettino’s ambitions to return to the Premier League to exclusive interviews with Arsenal and Brentford figures. Yet Donnarumma’s focus remained squarely on City’s objectives.
"We could finish the season with trophies or without any," he said, "but what matters most is maintaining a winning mentality and fighting for every possible prize. As part of a newly formed leadership group, Donnarumma now shares the captain’s responsibilities with Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Marc Guehi. All four have accumulated silverware both at City and elsewhere, providing a wealth of experience to guide the squad. The leadership quartet is tasked with setting standards for the newcomers—Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Ilimian Ndiaye—who are expected to make an immediate impact in what Donnarumma insists is not a rebuilding year but a campaign aimed at immediate success.
"We’ve brought in several high‑calibre players who are accustomed to the biggest stages," Donnarumma explained. "Adjusting to a new club, a new city, and a new system is never easy, but they are settling in well and the existing squad is helping them feel at home. I truly believe we are on track for a fantastic season. The club’s ambitions extend beyond the Premier League.
Donnarumma highlighted the importance of competing on all fronts: the domestic league, the Champions League and the two cup competitions. "Our goal is to stay in contention for every trophy on offer," he said. "We want to finish the season having challenged for everything.
City’s warning to rivals is clear: the team believes it can achieve anything when the collective will is strong. However, the Italian goalkeeper acknowledges that Arsenal presents a formidable obstacle in both the league and Europe.
Mikel Arteta’s side also began the campaign with five straight wins and recently enjoyed a psychological boost after edging City out for the Premier League title in the previous season’s dramatic finale. Reflecting on the disappointment of the previous year’s title race—captured in the recent Guardiola documentary where City players appeared dejected after a slip‑up at Bournemouth—Donnarumma said, "Football is life; setbacks happen, but you are never alone. There are many strong teams in the Premier League and the Champions League, and that makes the competition exciting." He stressed the necessity of approaching each match with a win‑or‑lose mindset. "Our objective is to win every game, but we must also respect the quality of our opponents.
The club’s history demands that we work hard, compete fiercely, and leave nothing undone," he affirmed. When asked whether City and Arsenal will still be duelling for top honours in May, Donnarumma was cautious.
"I can’t predict that. We’re only four games into the season," he said.
"Our immediate focus is on preparing for each match, giving our best, and seeing where the season takes us." The season’s schedule continues with a Carabao Cup third‑round clash against Norwich City on Thursday at 8 p.m., followed by a Premier League encounter with Sunderland on Super Sunday, kicking off at 2 p.m. Donnarumma’s message to fans and teammates alike is simple: stay focused, work hard, and keep the winning mentality alive, because only time will reveal whether City’s ambitions will be fulfilled.