Guardiola defends Donnarumma after keeper’s third booking of the seasonpublished at 13:59 GMT 24 November
Man City v Bayer Leverkusen (Tue, 20:00 GMT)
A frustrated Gianluigi Donnarumma picked up his third yellow card of the season during the defeat at Newcastle.
He was cautioned for protesting after Harvey Barnes appeared to shove him in the build-up to the winning goal.
The City keeper was furious as VAR checked the incident, insisting he’d been fouled.
Pep Guardiola backed his goalkeeper afterwards, insisting Donnarumma was right to stand his ground: “He has to defend his position. If he’s booked, he’s booked. James [Trafford] will play.”
The City boss added that he trusts his players’ reading of the incident and suggested the contact was similar to challenges Donnarumma has faced in previous matches.
Despite the frustration on the pitch and the booking tally stacking up, Guardiola was keen to shield his goalkeeper, describing him as mentally strong and fully entitled to challenge decisions he feels are wrong.
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