Donnarumma rested for Manchester City’s Brighton cup match

Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was left out of the team for the Carabao Cup match against Brighton after manager Enzo Maresca said he had been given time to recover following the defeat by Aston Villa. Gerónimo Rulli started in goal instead. Maresca said Donnarumma was one of five players given three days off after City’s 2-1 Premier League loss at Villa. Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias were also given the break, which Maresca said was intended to help them recover energy. The manager said Donnarumma’s absence from the Brighton cup lineup was not a response to his form. That explanation came from Maresca; the reports do not independently establish the reason for the selection decision. He said Donnarumma was expected to return for City’s Premier League match against Brighton on October 31. Donnarumma had faced scrutiny after Nicolas Jackson’s second goal in the Villa defeat went under him. He had also been criticised following City’s 4-2 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the month. Maresca defended the goalkeeper, saying mistakes can occur during a demanding schedule of matches and minutes, and that...