Donnarumma's Errors Force Manchester City to Rely on Haaland in Leipzig

Manchester City defeated RB Leipzig 3-2 on Thursday, but the victory masked a growing concern regarding Gianluigi Donnarumma's performance between the posts. Erling Haaland scored his 13th goal in nine meetings against the Bundesliga side, yet the Italian goalkeeper required assistance from his teammates to secure the result.

The signing of Donnarumma last summer represented a strategic shift for the club. Previously, Manchester City prioritized goalkeepers who could distribute the ball effectively, a trait possessed by former keeper Ederson. This approach relied on the team's ability to control possession and limit opponent shots. However, the injury to Rodri in September 2024 altered that dynamic. Without his midfield control, the team allowed more shots against, rising from an average of seven and a half per season in the prior four years to 9.34 in 2024-25 and 9.71 in 2025-26.

Under manager Enzo Maresca, the number of shots faced has increased further. In the Premier League, City has conceded an average of 10.56 shots per game. In the Champions League, that figure stands at 11. This increase in defensive pressure necessitates a goalkeeper who excels at shot-stopping, a role Donnarumma was recruited to fill.

In Leipzig, Donnarumma displayed the physical limitations that have marred his tenure. At 6ft 5in, his movement often lacks the quick burst required for low balls. During Leipzig's second equalizer, Antonio Nusa struck from a position with a 0.2 xG value. The shot's post-shot value was 0.65, indicating a high probability of scoring. Donnarumma failed to reach the ball quickly enough, a recurring issue given his age of 27 and 553 career appearances.

The Italian keeper also drifted three yards off his line when Riedle Baku crossed for Leipzig's first equalizer. Replays suggest Baku targeted the gap created by Donnarumma's position. While Donnarumma made a smart diving save to deny Christoph Baumgartner earlier in the match, his overall consistency has been uneven.

Across 56 games in the Premier League and Champions League, Donnarumma has conceded six fewer goals than the post-shot expected goals value of the shots he has faced. This statistic places him among the better shot-stoppers in the competition. Last season, he performed well in that specific metric for the Premier League.

The current situation presents a dilemma for Manchester City. The team has accepted a goalkeeper who offers limited contribution in possession. In exchange, they expected elite-level shot-stopping to compensate for the higher volume of shots faced. So far, Donnarumma has been adequate, but not exceptional. The expectation for a player signed to be the world's best shot-stopper remains unmet.