Gianluigi Donnarumma still feels the afterglow 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. "I loved my team-mates' performance, it was sublime," he told Sky Sports.
"The capacity to stay in the game and to react to difficult moments – no one can take that away from us. We will give everything for this shirt, for this club that gives us so much and offers us great support. It has a great history, and we need to give a lot back to it." City entered the match with a perfect record this campaign, a rare feat especially after the summer departures of long‑time stalwarts Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri, who were integral to Pep Guardiola’s most successful era. Despite a few uneven patches, Donnarumma believes the side is still learning and evolving, even though the start to the Enzo Maresca era has been flawless on paper.
"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." He emphasised that the ultimate goal is not simply to finish the season with a trophy or without one, but to maintain a winning mentality that drives the squad to chase every possible piece of silverware. This mindset is reinforced by a newly‑formed leadership group in which Donnarumma now sits alongside Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Marc Guehi. All four have extensive experience of winning major honours both at City and elsewhere, and they are tasked with setting standards for the younger arrivals.
The squad has welcomed several fresh faces – Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye among them – who are expected to make an immediate impact in what the club insists is not a rebuilding year but a season aimed at adding more trophies to the cabinet. "We've changed a few players. A few new ones have arrived," Donnarumma explained.
"They're all top players who are used to playing on the biggest stages, dealing with certain situations, and playing in the Premier League. It’s not easy at the beginning when you move to a new club, a new organisation, a new city.
But they're adapting well, and we’re making them feel comfortable. The players who were already here are helping them a lot. I think we’re going to have a great season." He outlined the club’s ambition: to compete for every domestic and European prize – the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup.
By stating this, City sends a clear message that they consider themselves genuine contenders on all fronts. One of the main obstacles to those ambitions, according to Donnarumma, is Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side also began the campaign with four straight league victories before a slip‑up against Brighton and have the psychological edge of having edged City out for the Premier League title in the previous season, as shown in the recent Guardiola documentary that captured the disappointment of City players after a loss to Bournemouth handed the trophy to the Gunners.
"It’s difficult, but that’s football, that’s life. You’re not on your own," Donnarumma said when asked about that disappointment.
"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. Certainly, 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 questioned whether City and Arsenal will once again be the two clubs battling for the top spot in May, the goalkeeper shrugged: "I don’t know. We’re only four games into the season." He stressed that the immediate focus must remain on preparation and consistency. "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 tactical and psychological aspects, Donnarumma highlighted the importance of unity within the squad.
He praised the senior players for helping the newcomers settle, noting that a supportive environment accelerates adaptation to the Premier League's intensity. He also reiterated the club's commitment to its fans, acknowledging the massive support that fuels the team’s drive to succeed. In summary, Donnarumma paints a picture of a City side that, despite losing some key figures, remains hungry, cohesive and determined to add more chapters to its illustrious history.
With a blend of seasoned leaders and promising talent, the team aims to translate its winning mentality into tangible results across all competitions, while keeping a watchful eye on rivals like Arsenal who are equally eager to claim the crown. The season is still in its infancy, but the message from the Italian goalkeeper is unmistakable: work hard, stay focused, and keep fighting for every victory.