Donnarumma: ‘Early goal could’ve killed us’

Susy Campanale

epa09338840 Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy saves the penalty of Bukayo Saka of England during the UEFA EURO 2020 final between Italy and England in London, Britain, 11 July 2021. EPA-EFE/Facundo Arrizabalaga / POOL (RESTRICTIONS: For editorial news reporting purposes only. Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage. Photographs published in online publications shall have an interval of at least 20 seconds between the posting.)

Gianluigi Donnarumma admits the early England goal ‘could’ve killed us, but that’s not who we are’ after Italy won UEFA EURO 2020.

The Luke Shaw strike came within the opening two minutes, but Leonardo Bonucci bundled over the line for the equaliser and then Donnarumma was decisive in the penalty shoot-out with two saves.

“We were extraordinary, we would not let go. As Acerbi always said, we were one centimetre away and we did it,” Donnarumma told RAI Sport.

“You all know where we started from, we fully deserved this. That early goal could’ve killed us, but that’s not who we are. We are the ones who never give in.

“You can concede a goal, it wasn’t easy, as England defend well, but we were spectacular and we deserve all of this.”

Donnarumma inherited the Italy gloves from Gianluigi Buffon and has won their first Euros since 1968.

“Gigione is the best there ever was. I try to give my best, to help the team and then he is the Number 1. We’ll see how I do in my career and where I end up.”