Morocco legend Benatia labels Donnarumma’s display a ‘disaster’ in Man City’s defeat to PSG

Former Morocco international Medhi Benatia has criticised goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma following Manchester City’s defeat by Paris Saint-Germain, describing his performance as a disaster.

Benatia, a former Bayern Munich and Juventus player, blamed the Italian goalkeeper for his contribution to City’s difficult start and an error that helped PSG score their fourth goal in the match.

Speaking on Canal+, the former Moroccan international questioned Donnarumma’s involvement in Désiré Doué’s opening goal and criticised his handling of the ball during Maghnes Akliouche’s strike in the 63rd minute.

Benatia questions Donnarumma’s role in PSG’s fast start

PSG put Manchester City under early pressure at the Etihad Stadium, scoring three times in the first half through Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha.

Doué opened the scoring in the 13th minute before PSG doubled their advantage just two minutes later, leaving City facing an uphill battle.

Benatia believed Donnarumma could have done more to prevent the opening goal and held the goalkeeper partly responsible for City’s early difficulties.

“When they concede two goals in 15 minutes, he (Donnarumma) clearly bears responsibility for the first goal, and he could have done better,” Benatia said.

Goalkeeping error frustrates City’s comeback attempt

Manchester City showed signs of improvement after the break, with Erling Haaland scoring in the 53rd minute to reduce the deficit.

However, Donnarumma’s mistake allowed PSG to restore their three-goal advantage when Akliouche scored in the 63rd minute.

Benatia was particularly critical of the goalkeeper’s error, arguing that it came at a crucial moment when City were beginning to fight their way back into the contest.

The former Morocco international said the mistake undermined City’s efforts to recover and contributed to what he considered an extremely poor performance from the goalkeeper.

“When Manchester City improved and began to come back, he caused a second goal. So the whole match was a disaster,” Benatia added.