The appointed heir to Gianluigi Buffon as Italy’s No. 1, could it be possible that AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma will eventually dwarf the Juventus legend? The 18-year-old goalkeeper was sensational in Milan’s highly controversial defeat to Juventus, recording nine saves and showcasing his strength, agility and tenacity.
At 6’5’’, Donnarumma is as intimidating as they come in goal. His reach is incredible, but his technical abilities are breathtaking and developing with every match. For all of these reasons, Donnarumma has been labelled Buffon’s successor for both Italy and Juventus.
But that’s where the admiration you should have for this prodigious talent reaches a new level: Donnarumma is clearly committed to Milan although they languish in seventh in Serie A, with an attack that’s mustered less goals than Atalanta and Torino.
Donnarumma pic.twitter.com/gcdC02z24e
— Amro (@ThatBoyAmro) March 10, 2017
If Milan are ever to disrupt the hegemony of Juventus, or even put up a decent challenge, Donnarumma is essential. With him anchoring the defense, anything is possible.
He proved that with his performance on Friday night — a clinic of goalkeeping excellence that was tainted by a laughable penalty awarded in the 97th minute.
Donnarumma: "It's not possible. It's always them [Juve]."
— TheMilanBible (@TheMilanBible) March 10, 2017
That’s no 18-year-old. That’s a bad man.