Man City 2-2 Brighton: Geronimo Rulli provides heroics but no worries for Gianluigi Donnarumma
Manchester City goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli performed well in a penalty shootout against Brighton in the Carabao Cup, but manager Enzo Maresca confirmed Gianluigi Donnarumma remains the club's first-choice keeper. Rulli's performance has sparked debate, but the manager maintains his confidence in the current starter.
Why it matters
It highlights the internal competition and management decisions within high-stakes professional football clubs.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Geronimo Rulli is no stranger to penalty shootout heroics
Manchester City reporter at Etihad Stadium Published 28 October 2026 Geronimo Rulli's penalty shootout heroics against Brighton in the Carabao Cup may have some questioning Gianluigi Donnarumma's spot at Manchester City, but manager Enzo Maresca has no doubt about his number one.
Rulli returned to the club in the summer from Marseille for a modest £1.7m to feature as a back-up to the Italy captain, but seemed to press his claims to challenge the jersey with an impressive display.
The 34-year-old dived full stretch to his left to save the last two penalties from Brighton's Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to allow holders City to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
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