NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: Gianluigi Donnarumma, goalkeeper of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James’ Park on November 22, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Saturday was an opportunity for Manchester City to make a statement. After dismantling Liverpool before the international break, Pep Guardiola’s team turned up to St James’ Park knowing that another win over Newcastle United would move them to within a point of the top of the Premier League table.
Victory over Newcastle would have announced City as genuine title challengers. Instead, defeat in the North East highlighted just how far the Etihad Stadium outfit is off the standard being set by Arsenal at the top of the table. Guardiola’s side still has a long way to go in its development.
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 22: (L-R) coach Josep Guardiola of Manchester City congratulates Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint Germain v Manchester City at the Parc des Princes on January 22, 2025 in Paris France (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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Gianluigi Donnarumma appealed for a foul as Harvey Barnes stuck the ball in the back of the net to decide the match for Newcastle. VAR checks showed there was no infringement on the Manchester City goalkeeper and highlighted where Donnarumma could become a target in the Premier League.
While Donnarumma was a key figure for Paris Saint-Germain as the French outfit won the Champions League last season, he has been weak from set pieces including corner kicks for a number of seasons. This is somewhat perplexing for a player of his size and physical frame, but it’s proven as true.
Newcastle recognised this by setting up around Donnarumma at every possible opportunity. They positioned bodies inside the six-yard box and asked Manchester City’s Italian goalkeeper to impose himself physically. He was unable to do that for Newcastle’s winning goal on Saturday.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 09: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Donnarumma is an excellent shot-stopper, but he is an awkward fit for a Guardiola team. Not only is the 26-year-old weak from set pieces, he is frequently uncomfortable with the ball at his feet. That makes it more difficult for Manchester City to play out from the back. Donnarumma is no Ederson.
“He’s given me lots of advice and he talks to me a lot,” said Donnarumma when asked about the influence of Guardiola since joining Manchester City in the summer transfer window. “He’s helped me a lot. He’s a very special coach and it’s fantastic to have Pep Guardiola as my coach. It’s every player’s dream and I’m very happy.”
It could be the case that Donnarumma is merely a stop-gap solution for City until Guardiola figures out his future vision for the team. Manchester City is in a vulnerable place right now and so having a solid goalkeeper will be useful. Guardiola, however, might have to get used to more moments like the one that cost his side on Saturday.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/grahamruthven/2025/11/24/gianluigi-donnarumma-is-already-becoming-a-target-for-citys-opponents/
