Gianluigi Donnarumma, perched on the training pitch at Manchester City’s Etihad complex, is still riding the high of the recent Manchester Derby triumph. While the controversy surrounding Erling Haaland’s late winner and Phil Foden’s harsh red card still lingers in the headlines, the goalkeeper’s thoughts are focused on something deeper: the character his side displayed when they were reduced to ten men and faced a cascade of setbacks, yet still managed to secure victory.
"I loved my teammates' performance; it was sublime," Donnarumma told Sky Sports. "The ability to stay in the game, to respond to adversity – 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 incredible support. It has a great history, and we need to give a lot back to it." City entered the international break with a flawless record, an achievement that seemed increasingly fragile after the departure of three pillars of the Pep Guardiola era – Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri. The loss of such experienced figures raised questions about the team’s continuity, yet Donnarumma insists that the notion of a "transition" season does not capture the club’s ambition.
"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 added that the season could end in triumph or disappointment, but the essential factor is the winning mentality that drives every player to strive for every possible trophy. This mindset, he explained, is now being reinforced by a newly‑formed leadership group that replaces the departed veterans. Donnarumma sits alongside Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Marc Guehi as the core of this quartet, each of them a proven winner at City and elsewhere.
As fresh faces such as Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye begin to settle into the squad, the leadership quartet is tasked with upholding standards in what Donnarumma describes as a "non‑transition" year. "We’ve changed a few players.
A few new ones have arrived," he noted. "They’re all top players who are used to playing on the biggest stages, dealing with pressure, and adapting to the Premier League." He acknowledged the challenges that accompany a move to a new club, a new city, and a new organisational culture, but praised the existing squad for helping the newcomers feel at home. "The players who were already here are helping them a lot. I think we’re going to have a great season," he said confidently.
The club’s goals are crystal clear: compete for every piece of silverware on offer – the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup. Donnarumma stressed that the warning to rivals is simple – City will fight for everything, and nothing is off‑limits. One opponent that immediately comes to mind is Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side also began the campaign with four straight league wins before stumbling against Brighton, and they have the psychological edge of having edged City out for the Premier League title last May in the dramatic finale of the Guardiola documentary. That film captured the disappointment of City players after a slip‑up at Bournemouth that handed the trophy to the Gunners, a moment that still resonates with Donnarumma, who had been part of five consecutive title‑winning campaigns before that season. "It’s difficult, but that’s football, that’s life.
You’re not on your own," Donnarumma reflected on that setback. "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 emphasized the importance of approaching each match with the intention to win, acknowledging that the club’s storied history demands relentless effort. "You have to compete, you have to work, and you have to do everything possible because the history of this club demands it," he asserted.
When asked whether City and Arsenal will be the duelling forces at the top of the table again in May, Donnarumma admitted uncertainty. "I don’t know. We’re only four games into the season," he said, reminding everyone that it is still early days. Nonetheless, he outlined the immediate focus: work hard and aim to win every single game.
"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," Donnarumma concluded. The message from the Italian goalkeeper is unmistakable – Manchester City is not in a period of rebuilding or transition; they are a squad with a winning pedigree, guided by a refreshed leadership core, and determined to chase glory on every front.
As the season unfolds, fans can expect a blend of seasoned champions and hungry newcomers striving together to add more chapters to the club’s illustrious history.