Failing to follow Alessandro Florenzi (contracture) or Marco Verratti, still a little fair to be the holder, the supporters of PSG will be able to take a close look, during Italy – Switzerland, this Wednesday (9 p.m., M 6) at the Euro, on the performance of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The 22-year-old Italian goalkeeper is indeed on the verge of committing to Paris, his medical visit being even envisaged Thursday, in Italy.
Beyond the upcoming debates on the possible competition that could arise with Keylor Navas, the fact remains that the young giant of 1.96 m, at the end of his contract with AC Milan, his training club, is a player apart, Established for the first time with the first team at only 16 and selected at 17, a year later, in a friendly against France.
215 Serie A games at… 22 years old!
“When you are 22 years old and 215 Serie A matches, it is not trivial, notes Grégory Paisley, consultant of BeIN Sports on the Italian championship. It measures almost 2 meters, but one of its strengths is to go very quickly on the ground. I saw him make some spectacular stops where he folds at a pretty extraordinary speed. Afterwards, in the aerial game, despite its size, I think it could be improved because it can still progress on certain ball trajectory analyzes ”.
Paisley accurately describes the evolution of the Italian goalkeeper. The area where he has improved the most, he says, is his kicking. Because, frankly, when he started … wow, it was hot! You got a few chills when you gave him a back ball. Now you feel that he has gained in serenity. Afterwards, I don’t see any major flaw ”
Former PSG goalkeeper Jérôme Alonzo shares this last point of view. “Technically, it does not have many shortcomings,” remarks the consultant of the channel L’Équipe. Sometimes he has a problem with the choice between keeping the ball and clearing it. But, overall, yes he’s an above average goalie. I do not know if this will be the announced phenomenon. But, at his age, he already has an interesting background and experience. At the very beginning, when it was announced as phenomenal, it disappointed me. But I think he got better this season. He has less of that nonchalant, a little soft side. He’s a boy who certainly had to work a lot on his liveliness and his attitude. “
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This does not prevent it from regularly displaying a strong character. “When you see him, you think he’s got 30 brooms already,” Paisley points out. It is quite impressive. He knew how to improve his precocity. It is this assurance that makes him strong. But it can sometimes play tricks on him with a little relaxation of concentration. “
It will be understood, caution is still required around Donnarumma, because as the legend Dino Zoff, world champion in 1982 reminds us: “To find out if he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, let’s wait and see. already what he will do during this Euro. At the same age, I was not as strong as him, but to say that he is one of the best in the world, it’s still too early. ”
The last word goes to Roberto Mancini, the coach of the Squadra: “Gigio is a great goalkeeper and a good boy and he will make his choice in peace. If he goes to Paris, he will make a good choice because it seems to me that they are a great team. “
