'He knows his role' - Rulli provides heroics but no worries for Donnarumma

Rulli's penalty heroics in the Carabao Cup shootout against Brighton have sparked debate, but Maresca insists Donnarumma remains his number one for the Premier League clash this weekend.

Geronimo Rulli delivered a man-of-the-match performance in Manchester City's Carabao Cup penalty shootout victory over Brighton, saving the final two spot-kicks from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk after the match ended 2-2. The 34-year-old also made a crucial fingertip save to deny Georginio Rutter in normal time.

Rulli's display has raised questions about Gianluigi Donnarumma's position, but manager Enzo Maresca has firmly backed his Italian number one. "He is working well but Rulli knows exactly his role, there is no doubt about that," Maresca told BBC Sport. "Saturday it will be Gigio plus 10." Donnarumma has been given three days off to recover after making mistakes in recent weeks, including being at fault for Aston Villa's second goal last weekend.

City will face Brighton again in the Premier League this weekend before progressing to face Bradford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Rulli, who famously scored in the 2021 Europa League final for Villarreal against Manchester United, joined City from Marseille in the summer for £1.7m as backup to Donnarumma.