Former Inter goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca defended Gianluigi Donnarumma, explaining why he’s a safe pair of hands for Italy at the European Championship.
The 25-year-old Italian shot stopper will be the number one for the Azzurri at the upcoming tournament in Germany, maintaining his starting spot after another strong campaign in France with Paris Saint-Germain.
Donnarumma, who was one of the players of the tournament at Euro 2020, is still a figure of ire amongst many Azzurri fans, despite having made 61 caps for the national team. Many have been quick to point out his inconsistencies with the ball at his feet and he’s regularly criticised by the press.
Pagliuca defends Donnarumma
Speaking to TMW, Pagliuca first weighed in on Donnarumma’s 2023-24 season ahead of the European Championship.
“A wonderful season. He won Ligue 1 and the French Cup, he had an excellent run in the Champions League. I saw all his matches, he was always important and decisive.
“He’s a good guy, with his head on his shoulders. He deserves to be the goalkeeper of our national team.”
He’s confident that the 25-year-old is ready to wear the captain’s armband.
“He already has a lot of experience in the national team, he can be considered a mature goalkeeper. He has the right personality to be a captain.”
Pagliuca commented on the growth of Donnarumma under Luis Enrique.
“Because with Luis Enrique he’s no longer in question, Pochettino did everything wrong in the first year, alternating him with Keylor Navas.
“But the truth is that he has always done well, it’s just that many in Italy haven’t forgiven him for the choice he made, especially Milan fans, and they can’t wait for him to screw something up to attack him. Even the press has always been very harsh towards him.”
He believes the Italian goalkeeper to be one of the strongest players at the upcoming European Championship.
“He will be one of the best, without a doubt. Then three years ago he pulled off an incredible European Championship and even won the best player award. This time I hope another Italian will win it, perhaps a striker.”
Pagliuca weighed in on the growth of Guglielmo Vicario.
“He made an incredible leap, he went from the fight to avoid relegation to the Champions League battle. And he did it very well, his first year in England was positive and I agree with Spalletti. Vicario deserves to be the backup to Donnarumma.”
He doesn’t think Vicario can challenge Donnarumma’s starting spot.
“I don’t think so. Vicario is a few years older than Donnarumma and Gigio, who is deservedly our number one today, has ample room for improvement. Then obviously some problems can arise and we’re fine with him, but let Vicario take away Donnarumma’s starting place, I find that tough.”
He was asked to choose between Alex Meret and Ivan Provedel.
“Provedel had a great season, even though he got hurt and only returned in the final matches. He’s improved a lot, I’ve always followed him since his time at Perugia and he made a notable leap in quality at Lazio.
“Meret had a somewhat up-and-down season, but he’s coming off some excellent years. In my opinion, Spalletti will choose Meret, because he had him at Napoli and because Provedel was injured for two months.”
Pagliuca was asked why Michele Di Gregorio wasn’t included in the Italy squad.
“Maybe because of his physique, because he’s not that tall. But he’s very good, an excellent goalkeeper. He attacks the ball and faces the attacker one-on-one, you never see him passive between the posts.
“His time will come, in the meantime he must already be happy to go to Juventus, he is 26 years old and perhaps from September he could join the national team”
He commented on the development of Marco Carnesecchi.
“He has improved a lot, he has matured. At Cremonese he tended to reject the ball, to block it little, while with the trust Gasperini has placed in him, he has made notable progress in these fundamentals.
“But from here to say that he can put everyone he can handle the others in line, there are excellent goalkeepers in front of him.”
Pagliuca was asked if the Italian school of goalkeeping was still one of the best in the world.
“In recent years several have emerged, and it makes me very happy. There was a period after Buffon in which we had a void behind Donnarumma. And instead look now, even among the young players, we are in good hands.”
Finally, Pagliuca discussed how far Italy can go at Euro 2024.
“Repeating things is very complicated, but after everything that has happened here we are again… Spalletti is the right man, he has enthusiasm and I am convinced that Italy can at least reach the semi-finals.”
No clubs above the National team. Milan fans are unfortunately too ignorant to understand this. Their brain cell cannot compute this simple fact. The Azzurri should never touch that stinky Meazza anymore.