TA: Manchester City’s goalkeeper’s proportion of long passes has soared to 42% this season. Pep Guardiola signed Donnarumma because of his good saves.

October 26th TA author analyzed that although Donnarumma is not a typical "Guardiola-style" goalkeeper, he is not known for his foot skills and is a right-footed player, but slow Manchester City coach Guardiola seems to be willing to make adjustments in exchange for "more safety" brought by his saving ability.

Data shows that the proportion of long passes initiated by Manchester City goalkeepers this season has jumped from 30.5% last season to 42%. Although this is partly affected by the overall trend of the league and Trafford's brief start at the beginning of the season, it also clearly reflects that the team is actively adapting to Donnarumma's characteristics. The goal kick distribution map shows that Donnarumma, who is right-footed, is more inclined to drive the ball to the left. However, his passing data in open battles and some ball handling in the game - such as calmly passing the ball to Stones in the Champions League midweek in the face of pressing - show that he has the basic ability to play the ball, although there have also been some "rush passes".

Guardiola's "bet" seems to be paying off. Since Donnarumma joined, Manchester City has remained unbeaten in the eight games he has started, and he personally contributed five clean sheets. Although it is still early to analyze his save data, his crucial save to save Mbemo's shot in the Manchester City Derby debut is already impressive.

The article reviewed Donnarumma's data during his four years at Paris Saint-Germain: Compared with the expected goals conceded, he prevented nearly 22 more goals, demonstrating long-term and sustained "extraordinary performance" ability and being able to "save the team" at critical moments. Teammate Reinders also praised his save as "amazing" and gave the team confidence.

The report also revealed the inside story of Donnarumma's transfer. In the summer window, Donnarumma himself did not expect to leave Paris. He originally wanted to renew his contract. But Manchester City seized the opportunity and successfully cut Paris' initial asking price of 40 million pounds to 26 million pounds, completing the transaction before the transfer window ended.

Donnarumma was eager to play for Guardiola and signed a five-year contract during the international break. Just five days after arriving in Manchester and after an hour-long meeting with Guardiola, he was directly scheduled to start in the Manchester City derby. The adjustment and adjustment between the team and the new goalkeeper has begun since then.