Gianluigi Donnanumma, perched at Manchester City’s training complex just days after the dramatic Manchester Derby triumph, is still riding the wave of euphoria. While the controversial last‑minute winner from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden’s harsh red card have dominated headlines, Donnanumma is focusing on something deeper: the character his side displayed when they were reduced to ten men and faced adversity.
"I loved my teammates' performance; it was sublime," he told Sky Sports. "The ability to stay in the game, to react to tough moments – no one can take that away from us.
We will give everything for this shirt and for a club that gives us so much support. It has a great history, and we owe it a lot in return." City entered the international break with a perfect record, a rare feat given the recent departure of several pillars of Pep Guardiola’s era – Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri. The squad has shown flashes of brilliance but also moments that suggest there is still room for improvement, even as Donnanumma admits the team is far from flawless.
"I don’t really like the word ‘transition,’" he added. "The club’s objective is to win. This team’s objective is to win. We’ll certainly give everything we can to achieve that." His words underline a mindset that transcends any notion of a rebuilding year.
City’s leadership group, reshaped after the exit of the former core, now includes Donnanumma alongside defender Ruben Dias, striker Erling Haaland and centre‑back Marc Guehi. All four have amassed trophies both at Manchester City and elsewhere, bringing a wealth of experience to a squad that is still integrating new signings such as Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye.
"We’ve changed a few players. A few new ones have arrived," Donnanumma explained.
"They are top‑class athletes accustomed to the biggest stages, to handling pressure and to the rigours of the Premier League. It isn’t easy at first when you move to a new club, a new city, a new organisation, but they are adapting well and we are making them feel at home. The players who were already here are helping them a lot.
I think we’re going to have a great season." The Italian goalkeeper stressed that the ambition is not merely to finish the campaign with a trophy or two, but to compete on every front – the Premier League, the Champions League and both domestic cups. This declaration serves as a warning to rivals: City intend to fight for everything. One of the main obstacles to that ambition, according to Donnanumma, is Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side also began the season with five straight victories and have the psychological edge of having edged City out for the Premier League title in the previous campaign, a disappointment captured in the recent Guardiola documentary where City players looked dejected after a slip‑up at Bournemouth handed the trophy to the Gunners. Donnanumma, who collected the league crown in each of the five seasons before that loss, reflected on the setback: "It’s difficult, but that’s football, that’s life. You’re not alone. There are other strong teams, especially in the Premier League.
It’s not that if you don’t win there isn’t disappointment – of course there is – but it can happen because there are other teams as well, just like in the Champions League. It’s important to go into every game trying to win it. Our objective will be to win, but there are other teams too.
You have to compete, you have to work, and you have to do everything possible because the history of this club demands it." When asked if City and Arsenal will again be the duelling forces at the top in May, Donnanumma was cautious. "I don’t know.
We’re only four games into the season," he said, before emphasizing the immediate focus: "Our focus right now has to be on working and trying to win every game. That has to be our objective. Whether we achieve it in the end or not, only time will tell." Beyond the on‑field battles, Donnanumma highlighted the importance of the new leadership structure. By sitting alongside Dias, Haaland and Guehi, he aims to foster a culture of accountability and resilience.
The quartet’s shared experience of lifting trophies elsewhere provides a blueprint for younger players to emulate. The season’s calendar is already packed. City will face Norwich City in the Carabao Cup third round on Thursday evening, followed by a Premier League clash with Sunderland on Super Sunday. Each fixture is an opportunity to reinforce the winning mentality that Donnanumma and his teammates cherish.
In summary, Donnanumma’s message is clear: Manchester City are not in a period of transition; they are a squad built on a foundation of success, eager to add another chapter to the club’s storied history. With a blend of seasoned leaders and hungry newcomers, the team is poised to chase glory on every front, regardless of the challenges that lie ahead.