PSG and Italy’s goalkeeper, Gigio Donnarumma, addressed criticism from some French journalists, stating they lack understanding of goalkeeping. He explained that he went back to the dressing room before the penalty shootout against Liverpool to strategize with the goalkeeping coach.
Donnarumma was named Man of the Match in PSG’s victory over Liverpool.
He successfully saved two penalties in the shootout after the teams were tied 1-1 on aggregate, securing PSG’s place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Donnarumma expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledging the difficulty of playing in Liverpool’s stadium with their passionate fans. He highlighted the team’s resilience in overcoming the 1-0 deficit from the first leg and their happiness in progressing to the next stage of the competition.
Regarding his brief return to the dressing room before the penalties, Donnarumma mentioned it was a planned move to review tactics with the goalkeeping coach in order to be better prepared for the shootout.
He also responded to earlier criticism from a French pundit who blamed him for conceding a goal in the first leg, despite Liverpool having only one shot on target. Donnarumma dismissed these critics as so-called journalists who don’t understand the nuances of his position. He emphasized his dedication to hard work, maintaining a positive attitude, and contributing his best to the team.
This season, Donnarumma has achieved nine clean sheets in 30 appearances for PSG, conceding 28 goals. As Italy’s national team captain, he has already earned 70 international caps.