Maresca Stands by Donnarumma as First Choice Despite Mistakes

Enzo Maresca has said Gianluigi Donnarumma is not untouchable, but he will still be the first player the Manchester City manager chooses this weekend.

The Italian goalkeeper has faced a lot of criticism after making several mistakes early in the season.

Speculation about his future grew stronger after reserve goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli impressed in City's midweek League Cup victory over Brighton.

Maresca made it clear that Donnarumma will return to goal when City, who are at the top of the table, face third-placed Brighton at the Etihad in the Premier League on Saturday.

"I think it is one thing to say that in this moment it is Gigio plus 10, and another thing to say undroppable," Maresca told reporters in a pre-match press conference on Friday. "They are two different things.

"There is no player that is undroppable but in this moment it is Gigio plus 10. In this moment I see it like this."

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has said he wants revenge after his team lost on penalties to City on Wednesday. Rulli made two saves in the shootout after City had come back twice to tie the game 2-2.

"Again, this is going to be a tough game," Maresca said. "No matter if they (Brighton) play in a different competition or with a different team, they always try to be on the attack.

"They attack with many players, they score many goals, they create many chances.

"But we’re going to try to do our best and try to win the game. If it’s revenge or these kinds of things, it’s more about them, not about us."

Hurzeler also claimed City, who are appealing after being found guilty last month of over 100 charges for breaking Premier League financial rules, were lucky in the League Cup match.

Maresca, however, downplayed those comments, saying: "This is what he said. Every manager can say something different. It depends on what you see with your eyes.

"But I respect what he said. We try to prepare for the game knowing what they are going to do. We try to prepare for the game in the best way we can and continue if we can to win games."