Geronimo Rulli’s penalty‑shootout heroics on Wednesday gave Manchester City a 2‑2 draw turn into a win over Brighton at the Etihad, yet manager Enzo Maresca insisted the performance does not threaten Gianluigi Donnarumma’s role as the club’s number one. The Italian goalkeeper, back at City after a summer move from Marseille for £1.7 million, dived to his left to deny Brighton’s Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk in the decisive spot‑kick round, sending the holders into the Carabao Cup quarter‑finals.
The drama unfolded after a tightly contested 90 minutes that saw both sides finish level at two goals apiece. Rulli had already made a vital fingertip save in the second half, stopping Georginio Rutter’s close‑range effort and keeping City in the game. Without that intervention, the match could have slipped away before the penalty drama even began.
When asked whether Rulli’s display put pressure on Donnarumma’s place, Maresca told BBC Sport, “No, absolutely not from my point of view. He is working well but Rulli knows exactly his role, there is no doubt about that. Saturday it will be Gigio plus 10.” The manager’s clear message show his confidence in the Italy captain despite recent criticism of his form, especially after a costly error that led to Aston Villa’s second goal in the previous league fixture.
Rulli’s reputation as a shoot‑out saviour is well‑established. In the 2021 Europa League final he stepped up for Villarreal, converting his penalty and then stopping David de Gea to clinch the trophy. That pedigree helped him win the affection of City supporters on Wednesday, adding another chapter to his reputation for rising to the occasion when the stakes are high.
The veteran keeper’s return to Manchester City this season was not a surprise. He spent the 2016‑17 campaign at the club without making a first‑team appearance before leaving for Marseille. His recent £1.7 million transfer was intended to provide reliable cover for Donnarumma, who arrived from AC Milan as Italy’s first‑choice keeper. The move also allowed City to replace James Trafford, who departed for Leeds United for £45 million, making Rulli’s signing a shrewd piece of business.
Maresca’s pre‑match briefing had already highlighted Rulli’s readiness, describing him as “doing well” and fully aware of his role as understudy. After the game, the manager repeated those sentiments, praising the goalkeeper’s composure in the shoot‑out and noting that “overall he was good especially in the build‑up.” Maresca added that City’s defensive line, which has shown vulnerability in recent weeks, benefited from Rulli’s confidence between the posts.
City’s overall performance on the night reflected the manager’s willingness to rotate his squad. He made nine changes to the side that had been beaten by Aston Villa the previous weekend, a gamble that nearly backfired when Brighton took the lead twice through Malick Yalcouye and Georginio Rutter. However, the hosts fought back with goals from Mateo Kovacic and Vitor Reis, forcing the match into extra time and eventually penalties.
The win keeps Manchester City’s Cup ambitions alive. With both Arsenal and Chelsea already eliminated, City now faces Bradford City in the quarter‑finals. Maresca, who is in his third month at the helm, described the opportunity as “absolutely” important, stressing that the club’s ambition remains unchanged despite the competition being different from the Premier League. “It’s a new project, new players, a new manager… we need to do our business and that is winning games,” he said.
Donnarumma, meanwhile, has been given a short break to “recover the energy” after a busy spell that included a mistake against Aston Villa and several high‑intensity fixtures. Maresca indicated the goalkeeper should return to training within the week, hoping the rest will restore his confidence. The Italian international’s performances in the league will continue to be scrutinised, but the manager’s public reassurance suggests he remains the preferred choice for the majority of City’s upcoming matches.
Looking ahead, City will travel to the Etihad for a Premier League clash against Brighton later this weekend, with Rulli expected to sit on the bench. The decision show Maresca’s clear hierarchy: Donnarumma as the starter, Rulli as the reliable backup. As the season progresses, the squad’s depth will be tested across multiple fronts, and the manager’s ability to manage expectations and player morale will be critical.
For now, Rulli’s heroics have bought City a place in the Carabao Cup last eight, while the goalkeeper’s role as a supportive understudy remains firmly defined by the manager’s statements. The next steps will see the club balance its domestic league campaign with the pursuit of silverware, a task that will demand consistency from both the first‑choice and backup custodians.
