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Pep Guardiola says Gianluigi Donnarumma has his mum and dad to thank for “making him so big” after reflecting on the brilliant save he helped make Manchester City win over Liverpool on sunday.
Donnarumma pulls off a stunning stop at Anfield to keep out Alexis McAllister’s deflected volley deep into injury time City secured a 2-1 victory that could yet prove crucial as they try to hunt down Arsenal in the title race.
The Italy international is the tallest goalkeeper in the Premier League at 1.96m (6ft 5in) and had to use every inch of his massive frame to keep shots out.
Guardiola was seen shouting “What a save” on the touchline and suggested that Donnarumma had inherited traits that allowed him to push the ball over the bar.
“Live, I said goal when I saw the deflection,” he said ahead of tomorrow night’s home game with Fulham. “Sometimes when you’re lucky and mom and dad make you so big and huge, you can make those saves. I think you can make those saves because he’s so big, or you have unbelievable speed and power in your jumps. Really good.”
Khusanov’s English is improving but still not Shakespeare’s…
Abdukodir Khusanov had to come on against Liverpool due to concussion protocol.
The Uzbekistan international has been impressive in recent weeks as City have had to navigate a defensive crisis with the likes of John Stones, Josko Guardiol and Ruben Dias all absent.
Khusanov’s command of the English language was a problem in his early days in Manchester but Guardiola says he is improving.
“I admit he doesn’t speak like William Shakespeare but he’s getting better and better,” Guardiola added. “He understands what we want and it’s getting better and better every time. He’s very intelligent. He always makes good decisions.”
Dias could return for the visit of the Cottagers as City look to move to within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who take on Brentford on Thursday.
“I understand how nice it is (talk about the point gap) three (points), four (points)…that kind of stuff,” Guardiola said. “It’s okay but it’s not about trying to win the title or be close to winning the title in the later stages.
“The gap is not huge but considering how Arsenal are doing, six points is a lot. Next game against a team like (Fulham) who are getting better and better every year, so we will see.”
Manchester City’s next six league games
- 11 February – Fulham (H)
- 21 February – Newcastle (H)
- February 28 – Leeds (A)
- March 4 – Nottingham Forest (H)
- March 14 – Western Han (A)
- 11 April – Chelsea (A)
