Donnarumma on the sidelines
On the front pages of Italian newspapers, we always find Gigio Donnarumma. The PSG goalkeeper is currently in the dock for the draw against Macedonia. He failed to save his team from Bardhi’s free kick, and for many Italian journalists, Donnarumma is no longer that untouchable in the national team. For La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the highlight of his career was the Euro final won at Wembley in 2021, since then, it has been a continuous back and forth between good and bad performances. There is the temptation to label him as an overrated player. In his country, he is criticized for his statement: “the time has come to grow up again», when leaving Milan for Paris, because since then, he seems to have stagnated and not to have corrected any of his faults. Newspapers, such as Corriere Dello Sport, are demanding change at the selection level, other young goalkeepers should soon make their debut as starters to, perhaps, dislodge Donnarumma. Guglielmo Vicario and Alex Meret are the favorites.
United’s bans
It’s an unprecedented media crisis at Manchester United. The club must quickly deal with the case of those banned from the squad as written The Sun on its front page this Monday. Targeted by accusations of domestic violence from his ex-partner and two other women in recent days, Antony has been excluded from the Mancunian group until further notice. This exceptional leave was granted to him to organize his legal defense. But hey, for the English tabloids, this looks more like a precautionary measure on the part of the leaders of Manchester, who have already had to manage a similar problem with Mason Greenwood. He will continue to receive his salary and will be able to play again at any time, as he has not been suspended by the federation or the professional league. Erik ten Hag must also manage the Jadon Sancho case. According to the Daily Telegraph, the Dutch manager must meet this Monday with his player. It is the first time they will come face to face since the boss accused the 23-year-old England winger of not doing enough to earn a place in the club’s starting XI. Tensions will perhaps finally subside.
Relief in Spain for the 2030 World Cup
In Spain, what is making the headlines is obviously the Rubiales affair. Forced to submit his resignation after the outcry over the forced kiss of Jennifer Hermoso on the World Cup podium, Luis Rubiales finally submitted his resignation yesterday. The news is almost celebrated on the front pages of all Spanish newspapers. According to Marca And A.S., in the corridors of the Federation, the declaration had the effect of a bomb. The employees received it with “astonishment and relief“. Everyone is relieved to see him leave, because if he had remained in office, it could have penalized the country for the candidacy to organize the 20230 World Cup. It now remains to be seen who his successor will be.
