Pep Guardiola is a 'genius' says Gianluigi Donnarumma as Manchester City's new star goalkeeper reflects on 'honour'

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Gianluigi Donnarumma enjoyed a dream debut for Manchester City as they saw off Manchester United in Sunday's derby. Now the Italian is set to make his UEFA Champions League debut for Manchester City against Napoli, a game that will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Donnarumma has referred to his new manager Pep Guardiola as a "genius" ahead of the game.

'Proud' Donnarumma 'so excited' to play in 'the best league in the world'

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Manchester City's new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has called his manager Pep Guardiola a "genius".

Donnarumma made his City debut in Sunday's 3-0 derby win over Manchester United in the Premier League.

Now the Italian, who helped Paris Saint-Germain to UEFA Champions League glory last season, is set to play for City in their opening game in the competition this season against Napoli.

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The match will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Thursday night as City begin their campaign to add a second European title following their 2023 triumph.

And Donnarumma has made it very clear how much he values working with City manager Guardiola.

"For me, being trained by Pep, by coach Guardiola, is an honour," Donnarumma told TNT Sports.

"I had never spoken to him before, I had only met him after some matches, but we had never spoken much [before I joined City].

Gianluigi Donnarumma enjoyed Sunday's derby against Manchester United

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"History speaks for itself, [we know] what he has done for football, for Manchester City, he is a legend here.

"The only thing I can do is learn from him because he is a genius, a football genius.

"So, for me, it is very important to work with him, to learn from him, to improve my knowledge with him, so I feel very lucky and proud to be here, working with him."

Donnarumma's start to life in English football could hardly have gone better.

Erling Haaland scored twice for City, and Phil Foden once, as they coasted to victory against their old rivals from across the city.

"[Playing] the first match with Manchester City in the Premier League was very exciting," Donnarumma said.

"I am happy about how it all started. and about how that match ended as well, with those three points in the derby.

"I know how important it was for us, for the city, how heartfelt this derby is. I am very happy.

"The perfect debut is something I was dreaming of, I was dreaming of it exactly in this way.

"I'm happy for the team especially, because they deserved such a big joy, the fans deserved such a big joy.

"Now we have to stay focused and work. I hope we will keep going in this direction and work well because that's the most important thing.

"Now we have got a very important match ahead, the first one in the Champions League. It will be a difficult and complicated match, but we will do our best so as to win it."

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City will be hoping for a big improvement on last season in the Champions League.

Guardiola's team were knocked out by Real in the knockout phase, beaten 3-2 in Manchester and then losing 3-1 to the Spanish giants in the second leg at the Bernabeu.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Serie A and Men's and Women's FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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