Gianluigi Donnarumma, still riding the high of Manchester City’s recent derby triumph, sat down at the club’s training complex to reflect on the victory and the road ahead. While the winning goal from Erling Haaland sparked debate among fans, Donnarumma’s focus was elsewhere; he was more concerned about the harsh red card shown to Phil Foden earlier in the match.
Nevertheless, the Italian goalkeeper praised his teammates for their resilience, noting that City managed to prevail despite being a man down and facing a series of setbacks. "I loved my teammates' performance – it was sublime," Donnarumma told Sky Sports. "The ability to stay in the game, to respond to difficult moments, that’s something no one can take away from us.
We will give everything for this shirt, for this club that gives us so much and offers us incredible support. It has a great history, and we need to give a lot back to it." The win kept City’s perfect record intact as the squad headed into a long international break, a period that comes at a delicate time after the departure of several key figures from the Guardiola era, including Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri.
Although the team has shown moments of brilliance, Donnarumma admitted that there is still plenty to learn even after a flawless start to the Enzo Maresca‑era. He dismissed the notion of a "transition" season, insisting that the club’s aim is simple and unambiguous: to win. "I don’t really like the word ‘transition,’" he said.
"The club’s objective is to win. This team’s objective is to win.
We’ll certainly give everything we can to achieve that. We could finish the season with trophies or without any, but what matters is maintaining a winning mentality, going out there and trying to win everything we possibly can." Donnarumma’s words reflect his new role within a freshly assembled leadership group that replaces the departing veterans. Alongside centre‑back Ruben Dias, striker Erling Haaland and defender Marc Guehi, Donnarumma forms a quartet of experienced winners who have lifted silverware both at City and elsewhere. Their combined experience is intended to guide the newer arrivals – Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye – as they settle into a squad that, according to the goalkeeper, is no longer in a rebuilding phase but is instead poised for a full‑throttle campaign.
"We’ve changed a few players. A few new ones have arrived," Donnarumma explained.
"They’re all top‑class players who are used to playing on the biggest stages, dealing with pressure and competing 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." The goalkeeper outlined the club’s ambitions clearly: to fight for every piece of silverware on offer – the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup.
This statement serves as a warning to rivals that City intends to contest every competition with full intensity. One of the main obstacles on City’s path to glory, according to Donnarumma, is Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side also began the campaign with four straight league victories before stumbling against Brighton, and they enjoy the psychological edge of having edged City out for the Premier League title last May.
The recent documentary on Guardiola highlighted the disappointment felt by City players after a slip‑up at Bournemouth that handed the league to the Gunners. Donnarumma, who had collected the league crown in each of the five seasons preceding that disappointment, reflected on the setback. "It’s difficult, but that’s football, that’s life.
You’re not alone," he said. "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 asked whether City and Arsenal will once again be the two dominant forces battling for the title in May, Donnarumma was cautious.
"I don’t know. We’re only four games into the season," he admitted, emphasizing that the focus must remain on the present. "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," he concluded. Beyond the immediate concerns, Donnarumma highlighted the broader context of City’s season.
The club’s leadership has been proactive in integrating new signings, ensuring they receive support from established players, and fostering a culture where every member feels valued and motivated. He noted that the adaptation process involves not only on‑field tactics but also off‑field adjustments such as settling into a new city, learning the club’s traditions, and building camaraderie with teammates from diverse backgrounds. The goalkeeper also touched on the tactical evolution under Maresca.
While the team has retained much of the possession‑based, high‑pressing identity that defined Guardiola’s tenure, there are subtle shifts aimed at enhancing defensive solidity and providing more freedom for creative players. Donnarumma believes that these adjustments, combined with the leadership quartet’s guidance, will allow City to navigate the inevitable challenges of a long season – injuries, fixture congestion, and the mental fatigue that comes with competing on multiple fronts. In summary, Donnarumma’s message is one of confidence and determination. He acknowledges the work that remains, the competition that looms, and the high standards set by the club’s storied past.
Yet he remains optimistic that, with the right mindset, strong leadership, and the talent now assembled, Manchester City can look forward to a season that lives up to its lofty expectations.