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PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has established himself as the best goalkeeper so far at the ongoing Euro 2024 Championship.
The Italy captain, at 25, has so much wealth of experience and that has proven key to guiding the Azzurri into the knockout stages.
His antecedents heading into this year’s continental competition is enviable. To put it in further context, During the Euro 2020 played in 2021, Donnarumma helped Italy win the tournament. He was 22.
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His saves were instrumental as the Italians went all the way before beating England on penalties in the final. No wonder he was named the Player of the Tournament.
The former AC Milan goalkeeper broke the record for the youngest Italian to ever play for the U21 team. In March 2016, he was aged 17 years and 28 days when he made his debut for the U21s.
Six months later, Donnarumma marked his senior international bow by emerging the youngest goalkeeper ever to appear for Italy. This he achieved at only 17 years and 189 days old.
Donnarumma was named captain of a team that consists of renowned, proven names like NicolĆ² Barella, Jorginho, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Federico Dimarco and Federico Chiesa. This new responsibility was always going to be a huge task.
He hit the ground running in Italy’s first game of the Euro 2024. After conceding an early goal against Albania, he marshalled a solid defence, proving resilient for the rest of the game.
Italy beat the Albanians 2-1 courtesy of goals by Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni and Barella.
After defending for much of their second game against 2008 and 2012 winners Spain, Azzurri succumbed to an own goal.
Donnarumma made a total of eight saves during the game. The attacking trio placed behind Spain captain Alvaro Morata – Nico Williams, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal – troubled Italy’s defence throughout. In fact, Williams and Yamal each had eight completed dribbles.
It was from Williams’ wing that the cross which led to the own goal came from. The Athletic Bilbao sensation raced past Di Lorenzo before crossing in the box. Unfortunately for the Azzurri, 22-year-old Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori turned the ball into his own net.
Heading into the final group encounter, Luciano Spalletti’s men knew they had a lot to play for against Croatia. The Croats had only one point before the game and took the lead before Italy grabbed a 98th minute equaliser.
Donnarumma saved Luka Modric’s penalty in the 54th but couldn’t prevent the Real Madrid man from scoring few minutes later. Modric had pounced on a lose ball after Donnarumma made a crucial stop.
Italy continued to labour until substitute Matia Zaccagni curled in a beautiful effort off an assist from Calafiori to break the hearts of the Croatians just at the death.
Spain and Italy qualify automatically from the group. La Roja had defeated Albania 1-0 in the day’s other group outing. 63-year-old manager Luis de la Fuente’s side are yet to concede a goal this tournament.
It is evident that Donnarumma is building a strong, reputable Italian backline that has succeeded the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, and Leonardo Bonucci.
Tags: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Donnarumma, Italy, Croatia, Albania, Euro 2024, Spain, #nrtcsports, #nrtcnewsnigeria, #NewsRoundTheClock
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