MADRID — Gianluigi Donnarumma stated it is an “advantage” for Manchester City that Real Madrid are lacking Kylian Mbappé for his or her Champions League round-of-16 first-leg tie.
Mbappé sat out coaching on Tuesday and is about to be sidelined when City line up on the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
The Frenchman is the highest scorer on this season’s Champions League with 13 objectives and scored a hat-trick towards City as Pep Guardiola’s facet have been dumped out of the competitors within the playoffs a 12 months in the past.
Donnarumma performed with Mbappé throughout his time at Paris Saint-Germain and the Italian goalkeeper stated he ought to have a quieter evening with the striker confirmed to the stands.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with Kylian and he’s one of the most amazing players in the world,” Donnarumma informed a information convention on Tuesday. “He’s a great talent and as a great keeper not facing these players can be an advantage.
“I’ve much less work to do, however the gamers that can substitute him are champions. We are taking part in towards Real Madrid, a crew that’s made up of champions so we must pay the identical consideration.
“I’m a great friend of his and I hope he can come back soon and be ready for the second leg because he deserves it.”
Donnarumma is a reigning Champions League winner after success within the competitors with PSG final season.
The 27-year-old moved to the Etihad Stadium in the summertime and after six months at City he stated he is seen sufficient to consider his new membership are contenders to raise the trophy.
“I think there are some teams that can make it to the final,” he stated. “There are many strong teams, tough teams. If we speak about last season, before the last 16 no one thought PSG could be strong candidates to win but things can change.
“It is determined by timing. Right now we’re about to play video games the place you’re in or out. Every single element may make the distinction.
“Details are everything. Many teams are candidates. We try to make it until the end but there are very strong teams who will do the same.”
