Enzo Maresca defends Gianluigi Donnarumma after shaky Man City display against Porto

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has defended Gianluigi Donnarumma after the goalkeeper endured several uncomfortable moments during City’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Porto.

Erling Haaland’s second-half brace ultimately secured the three points at the Estadio do Dragao, but Donnarumma’s distribution attracted attention after City came dangerously close to being punished when attempting to build from the back.

One particularly nervous moment saw a Donnarumma clearance strike William Gomes before the ball went narrowly wide.

It was not the first recent scare involving the Italian goalkeeper, but Maresca believes City’s outfield players need to take greater responsibility rather than automatically playing backwards.

“I think a few times tonight it's not a Gigio mistake, it's more for me the wrong decision to go back to Gigio,” Maresca said.

“Sometimes we go back more than we need. We can go back to the keeper when we don't have another option, but the players need to find the other option.”

It is an interesting defence from the City manager. Donnarumma may never possess the same natural comfort in possession as some modern goalkeepers, but Maresca clearly does not want his players creating unnecessary pressure by repeatedly involving him when progressive options are available.

Despite those nervous moments, Maresca was pleased with City’s overall performance.

City created opportunities before Haaland eventually made the difference with two goals after the break, giving them a winning start to their Champions League campaign.

“It was the complete performance on the ball and off the ball for 95 minutes,” Maresca said.

“We created enough chances to win the game in the first half and their goalkeeper was very good.”

The result maintains City’s impressive opening to the season and gives them momentum before another major Champions League test against Paris Saint-Germain.

There was also another encouraging performance from 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The summer signing was handed his first City start alongside Enzo Fernandez and again demonstrated why the club invested so heavily in bringing him from Lille.

Maresca was particularly impressed by the youngster’s mentality and ability to remain composed after making mistakes.

“He's very good,” Maresca said. “Against Coventry, he lost two balls and after he lost two balls he was inside our box with calm.”

“This shows how good he is because any players after two passes you panic but he is just 18 and is a fantastic player. Tonight he was very good.”

With Bouaddi, Fernandez and Elliot Anderson all arriving during City’s midfield rebuild, Maresca accepts that developing the trio is now partly his responsibility.

“The club has made a fantastic effort to bring these three players,” he added. “Now it's on me to allow them to work in the right way and use them.”

Donnarumma’s involvement in City’s build-up will remain an area to watch, particularly against teams prepared to press aggressively. Maresca’s comments suggest he wants his outfield players to become smarter about when to use their goalkeeper rather than abandoning the approach entirely.