Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign with a commanding 2-0 win over Napoli at the Etihad, and one of their summer arrivals is already earning rave reviews.
Goals from Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku sealed victory for Pep Guardiola’s side, but it was the performance of Gianluigi Donnarumma that drew the admiration of both fans and teammates. Signed from Paris Saint-Germain for just £26m, the Italian has made an immediate impact with back-to-back clean sheets since joining the club.
City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, himself a new recruit this summer, was quick to praise the goalkeeper after the match. “He’s a great, great goalkeeper. The saves he does for us are amazing and help us a lot. He gives confidence to the team. It’s a pleasure that we have him. We’re both from Milan, so we have something in common,” Reijnders told reporters.
Donnarumma already making a difference
The 26-year-old arrived in Manchester with significant pedigree, having lifted the Champions League trophy with PSG last season. Now, he has settled seamlessly into Guardiola’s system, impressing with his shot-stopping, command of the box, and distribution.
Former City keeper Joe Hart even labelled Donnarumma a “monster” following his first two outings, reflecting the confidence he has brought to City’s defence.
“He’s a great, great goalkeeper. The saves he does for us are amazing and help us a lot. He gives confidence to the team.” — Tijjani Reijnders on Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s Champions League record
| Stat (Champions League career) | Donnarumma |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 41 |
| Clean sheets | 12 |
| Goals conceded | 45 |
| Shots on target faced | 161 |
| Saves | 117 |
| Save success rate | 73.7% |
source: Fbref – 19 September 2025
These numbers underline why City moved quickly to beat rivals Manchester United to his signature. With experience, reliability and composure at the highest level, Donnarumma is already looking like one of the bargains of the summer.
Analyst verdict: bargain signing with title-winning pedigree
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Donnarumma could be decisive in City’s push for silverware this season:
“Signing Donnarumma for £26m is extraordinary value. He has the experience of winning the Champions League, the physical presence to dominate, and the mentality to thrive under pressure. For a City side looking to retain their European crown, having a world-class goalkeeper is essential. Reijnders’ praise reflects how quickly Donnarumma has earned the trust of his teammates.”
Key insights
- Manchester City beat Napoli 2-0 in their Champions League opener.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma has kept clean sheets in both of his first two games for the club.
- Tijjani Reijnders called him “amazing” and praised his confidence-giving saves.
- Donnarumma was signed for just £26m after being made available by PSG.
- Joe Hart described the Italian stopper as a “monster.”
What’s next for Manchester City?
City’s European campaign continues with fixtures against Porto and RB Salzburg in the coming weeks, while domestically they remain in strong form after a derby win over Manchester United. Guardiola will be counting on Donnarumma to maintain his commanding form as fixtures pile up.
If his start is anything to go by, Donnarumma could prove one of the signings of the season — a bargain addition who may help City secure back-to-back Champions League titles.
👉 Is Gianluigi Donnarumma already the best goalkeeper in the Premier League?
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