Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has publicly supported goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and defender Marc Guéhi following criticism over their recent performances. Both players were involved in costly errors during the club’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday, which ended Manchester City’s previously unbeaten start to the season.
Donnarumma’s mistakes have attracted particular attention after he was at fault for Nicolas Jackson’s winning goal at Villa Park, where a long-range strike slipped beneath the goalkeeper. These errors follow earlier costly goals conceded against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, where Donnarumma was deemed responsible for two goals in a 4-1 loss to the holders.
Maresca acknowledged the challenges of maintaining consistent performance across a busy schedule, noting that mistakes are an inevitable part of the game. “They play so many games and minutes that sometimes it’s impossible not to make mistakes,” he said. “He’s a strong character. He knows when he makes some mistakes. He doesn’t need us to tell him.”
Guéhi has also come under scrutiny for lapses defensively, including being outpaced in the buildup to one of Jackson’s goals at Villa. He was previously criticised for conceding a late penalty in a League Cup match against Ipswich Town and was involved in an error during the Nations League match between England and Spain. Despite this, Maresca praised Guéhi’s leadership qualities and resilience. “I am completely happy with Marc because the way he reacts is fantastic. He is one of the captains, he is a leader, and I love Marc,” the manager said.
In light of the recent intense fixture list, Maresca has given Donnarumma, Guéhi, and three other key players—Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, and Josko Gvardiol—three days of rest between the Villa defeat and Manchester City’s Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Brighton, scheduled for Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium. The decision aims to allow the players to recover energy ahead of a busy schedule, including a Premier League match against Brighton later in the week.
Second-choice goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli will start in goal for City in the cup match, as he has in previous Carabao Cup appearances this season. Maresca emphasised the importance of rotation and managing player workload throughout a demanding campaign. He encouraged collective focus and continued effort despite setbacks, underlining that occasional errors are part of a long season.