Gianluigi Donnarumma, the 26-year-old goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain, emerged as the key figure in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 match against Liverpool by making two crucial penalty saves. However, he faced criticism following the initial loss in the first leg with a scoreline of 0-1. Here is an excerpt from his story: beIN SPORTS In an interview set to air this coming Saturday, the Italian goaltender discussed his psychological condition leading up to the second leg after the initial match.
Donnarumma: “Everyone was confident”.
What happens inside your mind from the time of the first match against Liverpool, when everybody is angry with you, to the second match when you become the great savior?
The following day after the initial match, I was certain we would play another game and emerge victorious. Everyone seemed confident in our chances, and I believe this mindset played a crucial role in our success during the subsequent encounter.
Obviously, victories in the UEFA Champions League and crucial Champions League encounters are determined mentally. If Paris Saint-Germain managed to outperform Liverpool, it was due to their unwavering confidence from start to finish, with each player giving their all without reservation.
This mindset has energized the team since January and was evident in their 4-2 win against Manchester City. This same attitude will allow PSG to aspire to their primary goal in the tournament, which continues to be their top priority.