Rulli's shootout saves send Man City through, but Maresca says Donnarumma stays number one
Back-up goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved the last two penalties as holders Manchester City beat Brighton in the Carabao Cup. His manager says it changes nothing for Saturday.
By Eyob Hadgu · 28 October 2026
Geronimo Rulli celebrates, with Enzo Maresca looking on, shown in an illustration. (Illustration)
Geronimo Rulli's penalty shootout heroics against Brighton in the Carabao Cup may have some questioning Gianluigi Donnarumma's place at Manchester City, but manager Enzo Maresca says he has no doubt about his number one, BBC Sport reported.
The 34-year-old dived full stretch to his left to save the last two penalties, from Brighton's Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk, sending holders City into the quarter-finals. The match had ended 2-2 in normal time, and would not have gone to penalties had Rulli not made a fingertip save to deny Georginio Rutter in the second half.
City twice fell behind, to goals from Malick Yalcouye and Rutter, before drawing level through Mateo Kovacic and Vitor Reis. Maresca had made nine changes to the side beaten at Aston Villa on Saturday.
"Gigio plus 10"
Rulli will return to the bench for this weekend's Premier League game against Brighton, despite questions over Donnarumma's form in recent weeks. Donnarumma was at fault for Aston Villa's second goal last weekend, and Maresca has acknowledged he has been "making some mistakes."
Asked whether Rulli had put pressure on Donnarumma, Maresca told BBC Sport: "No, absolutely not from my point of view. He is working well but Rulli knows exactly his role, there is no doubt about that. Saturday it will be Gigio plus 10."
"Saturday it will be Gigio plus 10." — Enzo Maresca
Of Rulli's display, Maresca said: "Apart from penalties, overall he was good especially in the build-up."
A shootout specialist
Rulli returned to City in the summer from Marseille for £1.7m as back-up to the Italy captain, replacing James Trafford after the England international joined Leeds for £45m. He had spent the 2016-17 season at City without making a first-team appearance.
He is no stranger to shootouts. In the 2021 Europa League final, he scored a penalty for Villarreal against Manchester United, then saved from David de Gea to win the trophy.
City will face Bradford in the quarter-finals. Arsenal and Chelsea have both been knocked out. Asked whether the club could go all the way again, Maresca said: "Absolutely."
This report draws on reporting by BBC Sport.
Get Asmara Post in your inbox every Thursday.
One weekly email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.