Agent reveals reason behind Napoli boos for Man City keeper Donnarumma
Vincenzo Raiola, the agent of Gianluigi Donnarumma, spoke after Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Napoli, where Donnarumma kept a clean sheet against a team he faced often during his Milan days.
Speaking to Stile TV about the match, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, Raiola said “It was a fairly close match, despite Di Lorenzo’s red card for Napoli.”
“Champions League matches are difficult and unique,” he continued, “and a small incident is enough to change the outcome.”
“Perhaps if that ball from Beukema had gone in, it could have changed the course of the game: the details shape the game,” he said, “Napoli played their game despite the result, they defended and counterattacked but playing a man down against City is not easy.”
He argued it was the best time for City to have to play Napoli, as he predicts Antonio Conte’s side “will gain strength and confidence.”
Raiola responds to Napoli jeers for Donnarumma
Throughout the game, the City goalkeeper was jeered relentlessly by Napoli fans.
Raiola commented on the significance of this and how the goalkeeper himself reacted to the events in the aftermath:
“Donnarumma grew up in Naples, he never had the chance to play for Napoli and to then receive chants from a group of fans that I don’t even like to repeat – it is understandable that he might get annoyed but it ended there,” he said.
“We even ended up laughing about it afterwards,” he continued, “they were insulting his partner too, so in the end we laughed it off and that’s also part of his strength.”
“Luckily his mother, a Napoli supporter, wasn’t there. His father was, though, and he gave me a strange look, but it ended there with him as well.”
Agent full of praise for Donnarumma’s summer move to Man City
Donnarumma completed a deadline day move to join Manchester City from PSG after a summer full of speculation.
The talented Italian goalkeeper was essentially forced out of the club when head coach Luis Enrique asked the Parisian side to gift him a number one more in-line with his style of play.
PSG signed Frenchman Lucas Chevalier from Lille and Donnarumma was told to find a new club.
Despite links to Serie A and the Turkish Super Lig, the Italian eventually joined Pep Guardiola in the North of England.
“The management of the defence depends a lot on the goalkeeper,” Raiola said, “and I must say that at city, Gigi has found a calm environment.”
He continued, “His teammates immediately bonded with him and he’s a sincere guy. An important understanding was quickly created with the group and for a player, that’s fundamental because being respected and valued by the team allows you to perform at your best.”
“He was welcomed wonderfully,” Raiola concluded, “and for that we are very happy with the choice. Now he can raise his level even further and win something important.”