Maresca makes Donnarumma stance clear after latest Man City error

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca is firmly behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, stating that his recent mistakes aren't a 'concern'. City goalkeeper Donnarumma was caught out for Ridle Baku's equaliser during their 3-2 win away to RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

It came 11 days after the Italian's mistake against Aston Villa which cost City their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign. Donnarumma also hasn't kept a clean sheet in his last six appearances.

But Maresca is unlikely to drop him for City's trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, even though he acknowledged the 27-year-old's error. The City manager replied after being asked if he was concerned about Donnarumma's form: "Not a concern but it's a mistake.

"We recognise that it's a mistake. At the moment I'm not thinking about the goalkeeping situation. A few minutes before the goal he's done a save that no 'keeper in the world makes. Gigio knows he was not good with the first goal. He's going to do better.

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"Both goals are quite silly goals we can avoid. We are creating many chances in each game but we need to avoid silly goals. It's about working more. Understand and analyse.

"I'm new here, I need to know the players and they need to know me. We can only improve. I don't think in this moment it's a matter of balance.

"In the last five or six games we concede in all competitions [and] they are individual mistakes so it's not about the system or a midfielder to the offensive line. It's more individual mistakes that we need to do better to avoid."

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Donnarumma's backup, Geronimo Rulli, has made two appearance since re-signing for City in the summer transfer window, both in the Carabao Cup. The Argentina international is expected to reclaim his place when Maresca's side face Bradford City in the quarter-finals next month.

For now, Donnarumma will keep the gloves with his manager's backing. City travel to Nottingham looking for their first Premier League win since October 17, having suffered back-to-back defeats away to Villa and at home to Brighton, consequently losing their grip on first place.

Wednesday's victory was much needed, as Erling Haaland scored the winning goal to down Leipzig. The win moved City onto nine points after four games in the Champions League. History suggests that they only need one more win to secure at least a play-off spot.