Maresca keeps faith in Donnarumma after three costly Manchester City errors

Enzo Maresca has backed Gianluigi Donnarumma to recover his form and will keep the goalkeeper in Manchester City's team despite a series of costly mistakes. According to reporting by Will Unwin in the Guardian, Donnarumma has made three errors that have resulted in goals this season, but his starting position remains secure.

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The latest prominent mistake came against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, when the goalkeeper was caught well away from the position he needed to occupy. Maresca nevertheless said the Italian was generally doing well and remained relaxed. The manager stressed that Donnarumma had also produced good saves, alongside the errors that have drawn attention.

Maresca's response was to call for a better balance: cutting out mistakes while preserving the positive parts of Donnarumma's performances. He said the goalkeeper understood when he had done something wrong and acknowledged those moments immediately. That awareness was central to the manager's explanation of how he has handled the recent setbacks with his player.

The City manager said he had spoken to Donnarumma, but explained that not every player needed the same kind of intervention after an error. Some required a conversation, whereas with others, eye contact was enough to establish that the problem had been recognised. In Donnarumma's case, Maresca said there was not always a need to discuss the issue in depth.

Donnarumma will therefore retain his place for Saturday evening's visit to Nottingham Forest, with deputy Gerónimo Rulli not threatening his position, the Guardian reported. City go into that match after losing their previous two Premier League games. Forest, meanwhile, are second from bottom and have yet to score at home this season.

There was also a fitness update on Nico O'Reilly, who remains available for City despite not being fully fit. The left-back was omitted from the England squad announced on Friday and is due to receive treatment for a back problem over the next fortnight. His availability for his club comes alongside that planned treatment during the international break.