Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Italian shot‑stopper, is still riding the high of Manchester City’s recent derby triumph as he sits in the club’s training complex. While the controversial last‑minute winner from Erling Haaland draws plenty of headlines, Donnarumma is more focused on the collective resilience his side displayed, especially after a teammate’s red card that left them a man down. "I loved my team‑mates' performance, it was sublime," he told Sky Sports. "The ability to stay in the game, 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 rich history, and we need to give a lot back to it." City entered the international break with an unbeaten record, a rarity given the recent departure of key figures from the Guardiola era such as Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri. The squad has shown flashes of brilliance but also moments where they have not been entirely convincing. Donnarumma acknowledges that there is still much to learn, even after a flawless start to the Enzo Maresca‑era.
"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." The goalkeeper’s words underline a broader philosophy at the Etihad: a winning mentality must be ingrained regardless of whether the season ends with trophies or not.
The emphasis is on striving for victory in every competition – the Premier League, the Champions League and the two domestic cups – and on maintaining the high standards that have defined City’s recent dominance. Donnarumma has been appointed to a newly‑formed leadership group that replaces the departing veterans. Alongside centre‑back Ruben Dias, striker Erling Haaland and defender Marc Guehi, he forms a quartet of players who have already collected major honours both at City and elsewhere.
Their experience is expected to guide the influx of fresh talent such as Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye, who are expected to make an immediate impact in what the club insists is not a transition year but a continuation of its ambition. "We’ve changed a few players. A few new ones have arrived," Donnarumma explained. "They’re all top‑class athletes used to playing on the biggest stages, dealing with pressure and thriving in the Premier League.
It’s not easy at first when you move to a new club, a new city, a new organisation, 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." The leadership group’s mandate is clear: push the squad to compete for every trophy on offer. While City’s ambitions are obvious, the Italian keeper identified Arsenal as their chief rival for the league and European glory.
Mikel Arteta’s side also opened the campaign with four straight victories before a slip‑up against Brighton, and they enjoy the psychological boost of having edged City out of the Premier League title race last May in the dramatic final‑day showdown. The recent Guardiola documentary captured the disappointment that fell over the City camp after a loss to Bournemouth, a result that handed the title to the Gunners. Donnarumma, who had been part of five consecutive league‑winning squads, reflected on that 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 there are other teams as well, just like in the Champions League." He stressed the importance of approaching each match with the intention to win: "You have to compete, you have to work, and you have to do everything possible because the history of this club demands it." The goalkeeper admitted that predicting the final standings would be premature: "I don’t know.
We’re only four games into the season," he said, acknowledging that the race for the top is still wide open. For now, City’s focus remains on consistency and ambition.
Donnarumma summed up the collective mindset: "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." As the season unfolds, fans can expect City to continue blending seasoned leaders with promising newcomers, all driven by a shared desire to add more chapters to the club’s illustrious history. The blend of experience, fresh talent and a relentless winning attitude could well see Manchester City mount another challenge for the Premier League crown and the coveted Champions League trophy, keeping the competition with Arsenal and other top clubs as fierce as ever.