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The elite hands that could aid Manchester City's Champions League charge
The Norwegian has scored 19 goals in nine games for club and country so far this season, including his record-breaking 50th Champions League goal - a feat achieved faster than anyone else.
However, if Pep Guardiola's team are to live up to one of the favourites for the competition this season, the new man at the other end of the pitch could be just as important to their cause.
The arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma in Manchester was perhaps one of the surprise moves of this summer's transfer window.
Yes, there had been somewhat of an expectation that Ederson would bring the curtain down on his successful time at the club, with a feeling his time had been and gone at The Etihad. But, after the return of James Trafford, it wasn't clear if the club would still look for another big-name keeper.
Then came Donnarumma's fallout in Paris, when, after being dropped for the UEFA Super Cup Final in favour of new signing Lucas Chevalier, it signalled a move away from the European champions and straight into the City number one berth.
Signing on deadline day, the Italian instantly usurped Trafford, who had started the first few games for Guardiola, and took his place as the club's first-choice stopper.
He made his debut in the Manchester derby, keeping a clean sheet in a 3-0 win, which included an important stop from Bryan Mbeumo that could have swung the game had it beaten him.
A week later, he'd win the Yashin award at the 2025 Ballon d'Ors. Cementing the fact that City had brought the best in the world.
A winning mentality
This is not to do any disservice to his predecessor. With Ederson in between the sticks, City dominated domestically and won the Champions League in 2023, with the Brazilian helping redefine goalkeeping with his ability to play out from the back and passing range.
However, he was arguably never recognised as the Premier League's best, and certainly not Europe's and while his style was perfectly suited to that Pep Guardiola team, times and Pep look to be a-changin' and Donnarumma's profile fits the bill.
Because whatever thoughts some might have about a Yashin award - a reminder that Emi Martinez has won it the previous two years - there's no doubting the big Italian's status within the game and name in the conversation as the best in his position.
Since breaking through the Milan team as a 16-year-old, very little has fazed the 6ft 5in star. He was Milan's first choice within a year of his debut, the youngest Italian international since 1911 when he made his debut at 17 and a Euros winner just four years later - starring in the penalty shootout win over England.
@donnarumma
Donnarumma has lived and breathed big game experience from the get-go in his career, which bred a winning mentality and one that shone ever brighter once he went to PSG and played a massive part in helping them finally become European champions.
"For me, Donnarumma is a world-class goalkeeper and one of the top 5 in the world," former Premier League goalie Brad Friedel exclusively told DAZN News, thanks to online casino affiliate Casino.org, when asked about him signing for Manchester City.
"You see his performances at PSG, winning the Champions League. He is a big game player and a goalkeeper who gives huge confidence to his team and defence.
"It’s a big move for Man City, but one that can push them on this season for sure. It’s great to see another world-class goalkeeper come to the Premier League."
One of the elite
World-class isn't a tag just thrown around by the legendary American keeper, because you don't become a serial winner without being good enough to be in that position, and Donnarumma might be as good as it gets.
An imposing, dominant figure who has that presence that every top goalie should have, the 26-year-old is a noted shot-stopper and has an excellent command of his area. While also having an uncanny knack for saving penalty kicks.
No, he's not going to start an attack or send a forty-yard through ball for Haaland to run onto, but what he will do is pull off that save on the biggest occasion just when he needs - just look at last season's Champions League run.
And in Guardiola's brave new world, where he looks to have adapted once again, with his team having a much more direct approach, that is the exact thing he's drafted in Donnarumma for.
Winners know winners, and if City are to get close to lifting the Champions League for a second time in 2026, then there's no doubt that their new elite keeper will have a massive part to play.
Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday 3
Tuesday 21 October
- Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid
- Barcelona vs Olympiakos
- Bayer Leverkusen vs Paris St Germain
- FC Copenhagen vs Borussia Dortmund
- Kairat Almaty vs Pafos
- Newcastle United vs Benfica
- PSV Eindhoven vs Napoli
- Union Saint-Gilloise vs Inter Milan
- Villarreal vs Manchester City
Wednesday 22 October
- Atalanta vs Slavia Prague
- Athletic Bilbao vs FK Qarabag
- Bayern Munich vs Club Brugge
- Chelsea vs Ajax
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool
- Galatasaray vs FK Bodø/Glimt
- Monaco vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Real Madrid vs Juventus
- Sporting CP vs Olympique Marseille
How to watch the Champions League in the U.S. on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch select matches in the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
Between September 25 - October 3, 2025 new customers can get a 20% discount on annual subscription.
An annual upfront payment is now $179.99 reduced from $224.99, while paying monthly for 12 months is $15.99 (down from $19.99) and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high-definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, offering differing selections of sports in each. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
