Gianluigi Donnarumma continues to impress between the posts for AC Milan, George Rinaldi asks is he the real deal?
In just four games, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has collected two clean sheets for AC Milan, with the Rossoneri slowly but surely climbing the Serie A table. Have the Rossoneri finally found the answer to their problems, or is it too early to say?
Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic made the gamble just a few weeks ago to try the 16-year-old in goal which we discussed previously, along with the mention of the kind praise given from fellow Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez. Of course, a couple of games makes little change in the assessment of Donnarumma, considering his age alone, but the promising performances could be a telling sign for what to expect from the young Gigi.
For his namesake already implies greatness between the sticks, Gianluigi Buffon knows exactly what it takes to become a star from a starlet. With that, however, comes a lot of pressure. The praise is sure to continue, something that is good in the short term for Milan’s effect on world football, but could it prove too much for Donnarumma to deal with?
The early pointers say no. Atalanta visited the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Saturday and were held to a goalless draw. Players such as Carlos Bacca would be leaving the field disappointed as his goalscoring tally remained static, but Gigi left with complete assurance of his ability.
During a second-half onslaught from the visitors, the young man was more than capable of thwarting not one, not two, but three very good La Dea chances that he clawed away. This isn’t a case of blowing up half chances into supposedly five yard shots that Donnarumma somehow saved to make him seem a world beater – he really did save Milan on the day.
Orobici coach Edy Reja stated after the game how his side “had four clear chances to score” and was “disappointed” because they didn’t capitalise. Even Atalanta forward Alejandro Gomez lauded the 16-year-old saying “Donnarumma was really impressive, as it’s not easy at the age of 16 to wear the Milan shirt.”
He is right of course, regardless of the increasing popularity and other media attention of Donnarumma. For people keep bringing up the same questions. Will he be the next Buffon? Is he too young? What everyone, Milanisti included, is to just stop asking questions and revel in the current displays of someone who could potentially be an incredible goalkeeper. Some footballers have not lived up to their hype in the past, and young Gigi may fall into that trap, but until it happens, we must savour his talents.
Mihajlovic has stayed cool, as had become his style since moving to Milan this summer, reiterating how great Donnarumma was, backing up his earlier claim that he is the future of Italian football. It is that required mentality from the coach that is pivotal to helping Donnarumma grow as a player, and to also maintain his services with Milan. Treat him right, praise him correctly, play him consistently, and he’ll remain true to the red and black of Milan.
As Mihajlovic has stated previously, Donnarumma was picked not because his job was on the line, but because he was playing better than Diego Lopez and earned his place. 16 is a young age, but the aforementioned Buffon was just 18-years-old when he broke into the Parma team in 1996.
It is no mistake, or gamble, or stab-in-the-dark motive that lead Mihajlovic to picking Donnarumma. The coach deserves his praise for putting Gigi into the fray at precisely the right time. The international break now rears its head leaving Donnarumma time to process his performances and continue to keep himself grounded.
He may be the future, but it’s currently only about the present.
