Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Italian shot‑stopper who has quickly become a cornerstone of Manchester City’s defensive line, sat down at the club’s Etihad training complex still riding the high of the recent Manchester Derby triumph. While the winning goal scored by Erling Haaland sparked controversy and Phil Foden’s red card earlier in the match still irked him, Donnarumma’s mind was focused on something deeper than a single moment of drama. He praised his teammates for their resilience, noting that even when they were reduced to ten men and faced a cascade of setbacks, the squad showed extraordinary character and secured the victory. "I loved my teammates’ performance, it was sublime," Donnarumma told Sky Sports.
"The ability to stay in the game, to respond to tough periods – nobody can take that away from us. We will give everything for this shirt, for this club that gives us so much and offers us such great support. It has a great history, and we need to give a lot back to it." His words underscored a deep sense of duty to a club that has dominated English football for the better part of a decade.
The win was especially significant because City entered the match with a perfect record this season, a rarity given the looming international break and the recent departure of several key figures from Pep Guardiola’s era – namely Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri. Their exits left a noticeable gap, and the team’s performances in certain phases have not always been convincing. Donnarumma himself admitted that, despite an immaculate start to the Enzo Maresca‑era, there is still much to learn and improve upon.
When asked about the notion of a "transition" season, the goalkeeper dismissed the term. "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." He emphasized that the ultimate measure of success is not whether the season ends with trophies or empty shelves, but whether the squad maintains a winning mentality and fights for every possible prize. Donnarumma’s leadership role has expanded this season.
He now sits on a newly formed leadership group that replaces the departing veterans. Alongside centre‑back Ruben Dias, striker Erling Haaland and defender Marc Guehi, Donnarumma forms a quartet of players who have already collected major honours at City and elsewhere. Their shared 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 not in a rebuilding phase but in a position to compete for everything on the calendar.
"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 pressure and adapting to the Premier League. It’s not easy at the beginning 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." He outlined the club’s ambitions plainly: to fight for the Premier League title, the Champions League, and both domestic cups. This ambition serves as a clear warning to rivals that City still believes anything is possible. Yet, Donnarumma acknowledges that a serious challenger stands in the way – Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side also began the campaign with four straight league victories and recently enjoyed the psychological boost of overtaking City to claim the Premier League post‑title last May. The recent documentary on Guardiola captured a moment of disappointment for City when a slip‑up at Bournemouth handed the league to the Gunners. Donnarumma, who had been part of five consecutive title‑winning squads before that season, recalled the sting of that loss.
"It’s difficult, but that’s football, that’s life. You’re not on your own," 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." He stressed the importance of approaching each match with the intention to win, regardless of the opponent. "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," he added. When pressed about whether City and Arsenal will once again be the duelling forces at the top of the table in May, Donnarumma was cautious. "I don’t know. We’re only four games into the season," he said, reminding everyone that the campaign is still in its infancy.
His focus remains 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." Beyond the tactical and psychological aspects, Donnarumma highlighted the cultural integration of new signings.
He spoke about how the club assists newcomers in settling into Manchester life, from finding housing to understanding local customs, which he believes accelerates their on‑field performance. He also praised the coaching staff for providing individualized support, noting that the modern game demands not just physical preparation but mental well‑being. In summary, Donnarumma’s message is clear: Manchester City is not in a period of transition but in a phase of consolidation and ambition. The squad, bolstered by experienced leaders and fresh talent, aims to uphold the club’s storied legacy by competing on all fronts.
While rivals like Arsenal present a genuine threat, the Italian goalkeeper’s confidence, combined with his commitment to the club’s ethos, suggests that City will continue to chase every trophy available this season.