Geronimo Rulli stole the spotlight with a penalty shootout showing, but Enzo Maresca insists Gianluigi Donnarumma is still Manchester City's first-choice keeper.
Geronimo Rulli turned shootout hero at Manchester City, and the noise around Gianluigi Donnarumma's place in goal got louder. Manager Enzo Maresca moved quickly to shut it down.
Maresca made clear that nothing has changed in the pecking order. Donnarumma is his number one. In his eyes, Rulli's big night is no sign of a goalkeeping battle. It shows the strength of the squad behind the first choice.
The message from the dugout was that Rulli understands his role. A backup who steps up when called, and delivers in the highest-pressure moment a keeper can face, is exactly what a title-chasing squad needs. That is a compliment to Rulli's professionalism, not a threat to Donnarumma.
For City, the shootout heroics are a welcome bonus. Having two goalkeepers who can win a game on their own gives Maresca options and cover over a long season, and he is not about to rip up his plans because of one night.
