Donnarumma has helped Man City keep 5 clean sheets in 8 Premier League matches.
Man City shifted their focus from Ederson's risk-taking to Donnarumma's solidity: the goalkeeper's long-pass percentage increased to 42%, and their eight-match unbeaten run saw them concede only four goals.
Gone are the risky long passes of the Ederson era; under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City prioritizes safety with Gianluigi Donnarumma. After 8 Premier League matches, Donnarumma has kept 5 clean sheets (62.5%), achieved an 83% save rate, and helped Man City remain unbeaten in 8 matches (6 wins, 2 draws), conceding only 4 goals. The percentage of long passes from the goalkeeper has increased to 42% – the highest under Guardiola – reflecting a clear strategic shift from risky control to safe control.
A pivotal moment: a derby, a memorable event.
In his Manchester derby debut, Donnarumma made his mark with a crucial save that secured a 3-0 victory. This signaled that Man City had found a defensive anchor who was exactly what the team needed: character and consistency.
From artist Ederson to warrior Donnarumma
For eight years, Ederson Moraes was the epitome of the modern goalkeeper at Man City: the “11th man” involved in ball circulation, initiating attacks from his own half, and even directly assisting. He kept 168 clean sheets in 372 appearances, with a save rate of 73%. In terms of post-shot expected goals (PSxG) last season in the Premier League, Ederson prevented five more expected goals than expected, leading the league.
But football evolves. Guardiola chose to make adjustments: bringing in Donnarumma – a purely defensive goalkeeper, 1.96m tall, who won the 2025 Yashin Trophy after helping Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League. His arrival redefined the role of goalkeeper at Etihad: less flamboyant footwork, more reliable hand protection.
Man City change their approach to escape pressing: a safer approach from the first line.
The statistics reveal a clear structural shift. While only 30.5% of passes from the goalkeeper were long passes last season, this season that number has risen to 42% – the highest under Guardiola. Man City are willing to play long passes when needed to cut off sources of risk under pressing pressure.
Donnarumma is right-footed (Ederson is left-footed), resulting in about 60% of his long passes going to the left wing – the area where Josko Gvardiol often drops back to receive the ball. Guardiola adjusted the formation to escape pressing in order to maintain control without taking risks in the penalty area.
The domino effect: certainty fosters confidence.
Last season, Man City conceded 10 goals from the opponent's first shot on target – a detail that displeased Guardiola. This season, that hasn't happened in the matches Donnarumma has started. The impact isn't just on his save reflexes, but also on the psychological effect that has spread throughout the defensive system.
"He not only makes saves, but he also gives us more confidence every time we step onto the pitch," midfielder Tijjani Reijnders shared after the win against Napoli. "When Donnarumma is behind you, you feel like you're always protected."
Key statistics
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Ederson's clean sheet at Man City | 168/372 matches |
| Ederson's save percentage last season | 73% |
| PSxG thwarted Ederson's performance last season. | +5 (leading the Premier League) |
| The percentage of long passes from the goalkeeper for Man City. | 30.5% last season → 42% this season |
| Donnarumma's serving direction | ~60% towards the left flank |
| Donnarumma's achievements in the Premier League | 5 clean sheets in 8 games, 83% saves. |
| The opponent's first shot on target. | 10 games conceded last season → 0 games this season (when he was the starting goalkeeper) |
| PSxG's dominance at PSG (Ligue 1 + Champions League, 4 seasons) | ~22 tables |
| The first series with Man City | 8 matches: 6 wins, 2 draws, 4 goals conceded |
The deal and the integration process
Donnarumma initially wanted to stay at PSG to renew his contract, but upon hearing about interest from Manchester City and Guardiola, he agreed to move to the Etihad. PSG demanded £40 million, while Manchester City were only willing to pay £26 million. Donnarumma flew to Manchester on September 9th, five days before the derby, worked with Guardiola and Sporting Director Hugo Viana, and was immediately given the starting goalkeeper position.
Since then, Man City have been unbeaten in 8 matches when Donnarumma has played, winning 6, drawing 2, and conceding only 4 goals – the best start for a new goalkeeper in the Guardiola era.
Long-term tactical impact
Man City has gone through the ups and downs of being a control-oriented team: from high-risk to absolute control. With Donnarumma, they entered a phase of balance and efficiency. He didn't make Man City more attractive, but he made them harder to beat – exactly what a top team needs in a fiercely competitive environment.
Donnarumma's experience at PSG, where he prevented nearly 22 expected goals in four seasons, along with the Yashin Trophy 2025, is a testament to Guardiola's new structure: controlling the game through defensive solidity, not just through possession.
