Injured and absent against Girona, Reims and Rennes, Gianluigi Donnarumma (25) made his return to the Parisian cages this Tuesday evening, on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium. Aligned at the base of the 4-3-3 designed by Luis Enrique, the Italian goalkeeper (68 caps) unfortunately experienced a cataclysmic evening during the shock of the 2nd day of the League phase against Arsenal (0-2). Criticized on numerous occasions since the start of his Ile-de-France adventure – particularly during major events – the former AC Milan goalkeeper has once again given his detractors something to chew on.
Little worried at the start of this European meeting, except for this muscular exit against Martinelli from the start (3rd), the native of Castellammare di Stabia abandoned his teammates for the first time on a more than doubtful aerial exit. Too approximate when reading the trajectory of Leandro Trossard’s center, Donnarumma, little helped by the lax marking of Willian Pacho, was finally beaten by Kai Havertz, author of the opening score with a precise header (0-1, 20th). Weighed down by this failed intervention, the 1m96 right-hander was, moreover, still not very reassuring in his kicking game. An evening which was going to become a little more terrible after half an hour of play…
Two blunders and parades…
On a free kick from Bukayo Saka, the Transalpine – again abandoned by a defense that was far too lax – had a complete hole when it came time to push the ball back and let the English enclosure explode a second time (0-2, 35th). Slightly more inspired when diverting Trossard’s deflection (38th), the number 1 of the reigning French champions nevertheless returned to the locker room with his head down. A breathing period of around fifteen minutes which, however, allowed the person concerned to regain some sensations, particularly on his figure. Decisive when repelling Gabriel Martinelli’s shot (51st), he was still there to catch Kai Havertz’s header (58th).
Two saves offering some hope to the Parisians, like this deflection from Joao Neves ending on the crossbar of David Raya (66th) or the successive strikes from Fabian Ruiz (67th) and Kang-In Lee (69th). In vain. Despite another decisive intervention against Kai Havertz (75th), the damage was already done and PSG conceded its first defeat of the season. Questioned at a press conference a few minutes after this setback, Luis Enrique – who did not hesitate to lose his temper with a journalist from Canal + a few moments earlier – however refused to overwhelm the main person concerned.
“I’m not going to take it out on anyone after a defeat, it’s my responsibility. Gigio was like the others, not at the usual level. Arsenal deserved to win and we deserved to lose.conceded the Spanish technician regarding the Italian credited with a 3 by the FM editorial team. One thing is certain, Luis Enrique’s flock, generally too brittle during this London meeting, will quickly have to turn the page. Just like Gianluigi Donnarumma, capable of the best, but also the worst…
