Gianluigi Donnarumma says he has rarely encountered a forward as relentless and technically imposing as Erling Haaland, admitting that it is “so difficult” to cope with the Manchester City striker at full flow.
The Italy goalkeeper shared his thoughts after watching Haaland dominated the World Cup qualifier, a match in which the Norwegian star delivered a decisive performance to secure his nation’s first World Cup appearance in over twenty years.
Haaland struck twice, each goal a reminder of the power, precision and presence that have become trademarks of his play.
Speaking to Sky in Italy from Manchester City’s training complex, Donnarumma offered an unusually candid view of a player he knows both as an opponent and now as a teammate.
“He’s truly a great friend – and it’s a good thing I play with him because it’s so difficult to be against him! He’s an alien!” he said, half-laughing, half-lamenting the reality faced by defences across Europe.
The Italian international’s words came in the aftermath of a match that left Italy frustrated and exposed, struggling to contain Norway as Haaland dominated the World Cup qualifier. His movement and decisiveness in the final third.
Donnarumma, already considered one of the world’s leading goalkeepers, has faced some of the game’s biggest attacking names, but few have made such an impression on him.
Haaland’s influence on his move and life at City
Donnarumma revealed that Haaland played a crucial role in convincing him to move to Manchester City during the summer transfer window.
The pair had built a strong respect for one another long before they became teammates, strengthened by their meetings on the pitch and the conversations that followed those encounters.
“He’s a fantastic guy, so calm and he loves his family and being with them,” Donnarumma said.
The goalkeeper described their connection as natural, explaining how their bond developed even when they were on opposite sides of the pitch.
“We hit it off. There’s that synergy there where there’s just a natural feeling. Even when we played against each other, we were in touch and after the games we even spoke often,” he added, describing a level of rapport unusual between opponents at elite level.
When City came calling, Haaland did more than express support—he took action.
“Then I had the opportunity to come here, he wrote to me. He pushed hard for me to come and I think him so much for that,” Donnarumma noted, highlighting Haaland’s behind-the-scenes influence as a driving factor in his decision.
Beyond Haaland, the goalkeeper said the rest of the Manchester City squad also played a major part in helping him adapt to life in the Premier League.
Moving leagues and countries always carries challenges, but being welcomed into a side rich in experience and familiarity with success has made the transition far smoother for him.
Strong start in England and high expectations ahead
Donnarumma’s early games under Pep Guardiola have shown why the club moved for him.
With six clean sheets in his first 12 appearances, the 25-year-old has quickly established himself as a stabilising presence in City’s back line.
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His performances have been a blend of sharp reflexes, calm distribution, and leadership—qualities Guardiola often prioritises in his keepers.
Even so, Donnarumma believes there is room for improvement.
“I’m a bit angry because I could have kept more,” he laughed, pointing to the high standards he sets for himself.
At City, those expectations are mirrored by the club’s ambitions. Competing across multiple fronts—domestically and in Europe—requires consistency, a quality Donnarumma has shown throughout his career.
His arrival has strengthened the competition for places and provided Guardiola with a goalkeeper suited to the club’s possession-based, attack-starting philosophy.
