Gianluigi Donnarumma: How PSG Goalkeeper Got Facial Scar As He Stars vs Arsenal
- Gianluigi Donnarumma was one of the stars of the show as a flawless Paris Saint-Germain sent Arsenal packing with ease
- PSG won 3-1 on aggregate, thanks to some fine stops from Donnarumma to set up a meeting against Inter Milan in the final
- Donnarumma currently sports a deep scar on his face from a gruesome injury he picked up towards the tail end of 2024
Gianluigi Donnarumma produced yet another remarkable performance across the two games against Arsenal to help Paris Saint-Germain reach the Champions League final.
Source: Getty Images
Gianluigi Donnarumma's stats vs Arsenal
The Italian goalkeeper pulled a string of fine performances to thwart Arsenal's forays in both legs.
At the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening, he saved Gabriel Martinelli's effort from point-blank range. He then pulled an even better stop to deny Martin Odegaard from way out. In the second half, he made a fingertip save, almost akin to the sensational one Yann Sommer made on Lamine Yamal the night before, to keep out Bukayo Saka's curler.
Of the nine shots he faced in both legs, he only conceded once to reach his first-ever Champions League final.
Why Gianluigi Donnarumma has deep facial scar
Those with a finer eye for detail should have realised that the 6'5' goalkeeper sported a deep scar on his right cheek. And for those who have followed his career from the days at AC Milan, to Euro 2020 triumph and as recently as last year, he didn't have the scar. It is something that came recently, and it isn't a pretty story.
The PSG goalkeeper was on the receiving end of a tackle from Wilfried Singo during his side's game against Monaco at the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille on December 18.
Singo inadvertently stepped on Donnarumma's face after the Italian goalkeeper parried away his attempt on goal. Donnarumma received treatment on the field, but his facial injuries were too serious for him to continue.
Singo was surprisingly not sent off in that game by centre referee François Letexier. The referee, who was in charge of the 2024 Champions League final, deemed the challenge "reckless" but not "inconsiderate" behaviour.
How many stitches did Donnarumma need?
The tackle left Donnarumma needing 10 stitches to his face. He was fortunate to miss only one game and has been a strong force for Luis Enrique's side at the back.
He played integral roles in seeing off Liverpool, Aston Villa, and now Arsenal to set up the date against Inter Milan in the May 31 final
Singo apologises to Donnarumma
The Africa Cup of Nations-winning fullback with the Ivory Coast was remorseful, apologising to the goalkeeper via Instagram.
"I'd like to apologise to Gianluigi Donnarumma. My act was obviously not intentional, but I was able to see afterwards that he had a serious injury to his face. I wish you a good recovery"
Donnarumma takes sly dig at Kylian Mbappe
Speaking after the game, Donnarumma weighed in on what had changed for the Parisians despite losing their best player, Kylian Mbappe, to Real Madrid.
"The spirit has changed; we are much more of a team. We play for each other. The team is very united, we're doing well together. We (Italy) won a European Championship like this, it makes all the difference in every team. We miss Kylian, he is one of the best in the world and I wish him all the best because he is a great friend," he told Prime Video via Football Italia.
Gianluigi Donnarumma's stats vs Inter Milan
The 26-year-old will face familiar foes in Inter Milan when they meet in Munich at the end of this month. He was involved in the heated Milan derbies during his days at AC Milan.
However, he doesn't have a great record against them, having played 11 Serie A games against the Nerazzurri, winning only two, drawing three, and losing six. He also conceded 21 times according to Transfermarkt stats.
Chelsea aims dig at Arsenal
In a different report, Chelsea aimed a cheeky dig at Arsenal after they were eliminated from the Champions League by PSG.
The Blues posted a cryptic post shortly after Arsenal's elimination in Paris was confirmed.
Chelsea remain the only London club to have won the Champions League.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
