GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA was spared his blushes by the referee following an awful clanger while playing for Italy tonight.
The Manchester City new boy, 26, is in line to make his debut against rivals United this Sunday.
The 6ft 5in stopper will be hoping to shake off his blunder from tonight, having nearly gifted Israel a shocking opener.
Barely five minutes into tonight’s contest Manor Solomon, who recently joined Villarreal on loan from Tottenham, swung in a corner.
The situation seemed harmless enough, with the ball looking likely to sail into Donnarumma’s grasp.
Inexplicably, however, the former Paris Saint-Germain star punched the ball into his own net.
Donnarumma was bailed out by the referee, however, who deemed Israel defender Stav Lemkin to have fouled him, despite contact appearing to be minimal.
Seeing the incident on social media, one fan branded City’s new boy: “the new Onana of the EPL”.
While a second claimed: “In these situations here in the Premier League, they’ll eat Donnarumma alive.”
A third claimed: “Donarumma doing what Donnarumma does.”
And another added: “Donnarumma in the premier league will make hatewatching man city 10x funnier.”
Following their let off, Italy did go behind via Manuel Locatelli’s own goal on 16 minutes.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side levelled through Moise Kean just before half-time, only for Dor Peretz to reclaim Israel’s lead seven minutes after the break.
Italy subsequently turned the game on its head in the following six minutes, courtesy of a second for Kean and a Matteo Politano strike.
City signed Donnarumma in a £26million deal on transfer deadline day.
The giant keeper is set to replace James Trafford as No1, following the ex-Burnley ace’s difficult start to the campaign.
After Donnarumma’s arrival, City allowed long-term stalwart Ederson to depart for Fenerbahce.
The Etihad new boy is set to make his debut against Man Utd this weekend.
Ruben Amorim’s side could also have a new man between the sticks, following Senne Lammens’ £18m arrival from Royal Antwerp.
Andre Onana is set to join Turkish side Trabzonspor on loan, although Altay Bayindir could potentially keep his place ahead of Lammens this weekend.
Read the full article here