Before Man City-PSG: Luis Enrique hails Donnarumma and reaffirms his trust
Ahead of the Champions League clash between Manchester City and PSG, Luis Enrique praised Gianluigi Donnarumma while reiterating his trust in PSG’s goalkeepers.
Key takeaways
- Ahead of Manchester City vs PSG (Matchday 2, kick-off at 9 pm), Luis Enrique spoke about Gianluigi Donnarumma.
- Donnarumma left PSG for Manchester City in the summer of 2025 after PSG did not extend his contract.
- Enrique reaffirmed absolute confidence in all current PSG goalkeepers and paid tribute to Donnarumma, citing his high regard and human qualities.
- He said the reunion will be free of animosity and stressed lasting respect for Donnarumma alongside his continued trust in the current squad.
Match sheet
Manchester City 2 – 4 Paris Saint-Germain
· Ligue des champions · League Phase · Etihad Stadium
- 13' Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 15' Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 32' Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 53' Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — goal
- 61' Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) — yellow card
- 62' Maghnes Akliouche (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 69' Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain) — yellow card
- 75' Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — goal
Standings Ligue des champions : 1er, 9 pts (3 j.)
A few hours before Manchester City-PSG, counting for Matchday 2 of the Champions League league phase (kick-off at 9 pm), Luis Enrique took the time to speak about Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper will face Paris Saint-Germain for the first time since leaving on a free in the summer of 2025, at the end of a contract that was not extended despite his central role in the first major European title in the club’s history.
The PSG coach recalled that he had taken his share of responsibility for that outcome, a stance he has maintained since the goalkeeper’s move to Manchester City. Questioned in a press conference following a reminder of Ousmane Dembélé’s comments, who judged Donnarumma still at the top of his position, Luis Enrique first underlined, not without humor, his absolute confidence in all of his current goalkeepers, whom he considers to be at the highest level.
Even so, the Spanish coach delivered a heartfelt tribute to his former player. He explained that he holds Donnarumma in high regard, stressing how fortunate he was to have worked with him. He admitted the decision taken at the time had been anything but easy. Pleased to see the Italy international performing today at the same level as in Paris, he especially insisted on his human qualities, believing that the man matters as much as the player. In this context, the reunion on the pitch promises to be free of animosity.
This Champions League fixture, with the back-to-back title holders up against the Mancunians, thus takes on a special dimension around the goalkeeper position, between PSG’s recent past and present. Still, for Luis Enrique, the stakes tonight are not reduced to a personal story: his statements draw a clear line, that of lasting respect for Donnarumma combined with reaffirmed confidence in the group he leads today.
Your questions, our answers
What did Luis Enrique say about his current goalkeepers?
He underlined his absolute confidence in all of his current goalkeepers, whom he considers to be at the highest level.
What did Enrique emphasize about Donnarumma's human qualities?
He stressed how fortunate he was to have worked with him, insisting on his human qualities, believing that the man matters as much as the player.
What did Enrique say about the reunion on the pitch between Donnarumma and PSG?
He said the reunion on the pitch promises to be free of animosity.