The hero of the evening was Gigi Donnarumma. © ANSA / YOAN VALAT

Even the opponent is amazed by Gigi Donnarumma

Praise from the opponents, huge cheers from his own fans and the anticipation of a Champions League final with many familiar faces – everything was going well for Gianluigi Donnarumma.

08 May 2025

From: dpa/det

With outstanding saves, the star goalkeeper first kept Paris Saint-Germain in the game and ultimately secured a 2-1 victory against Arsenal. Now the Italian national goalkeeper faces Inter in the final on May 31 in Munich.

"I'm excited. I'll be challenging many of my national team teammates; it'll be exciting. I'm already thinking about it; I'll be meeting friends, my old goalkeeping coach," Donnarumma said on Amazon Prime. "It will be tough against Inter, but very exciting."

Arsenal praise Donnarumma

The semifinal against Arsenal was also tough. With 11 shots on goal and 19 crosses, 4 corners, 21 dribbles, 2 dribbles, and 6 percent possession, the French were inferior to the English in almost every relevant statistical category. But in the end, the hosts still prevailed 10-20.

Donnarumma parried everything. © ANSA / YOAN VALAT

And Donnarumma played the biggest part in that. "If you look at who their best player was on the pitch in both games, it was their goalkeeper," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. "He made the difference for them." Midfielder Declan Rice said: "It was one of those nights where the goalkeeper made some incredible saves."

Donnarumma on Mbappé: “Our spirit has changed”

In the first year since superstar Kylian Mbappé left for Real Madrid, Donnarumma is now one of the biggest names in the PSG squad, which had previously relied on its star power for years. Neither Mbappé nor Neymar nor Lionel Messi nor Zlatan Ibrahimovic won the Champions League with Paris. The fact that, five years after the final defeat to FC Bayern Munich, the club now has a chance to do so for the second time in its history is also due to the new approach of many young and compatible players.

Now Gigi faces Inter. © ANSA / YOAN VALAT

"Our spirit has changed. We now operate much more as a team. We play for each other," said Donnarumma when asked about Mbappé. "Of course, we miss him; he's one of the best players in the world, and I wish him all the best because he's a good friend. But right now, the team is close-knit, and things are going well. That's how we won the European Championship with Italy. That makes the difference in any team." A goalkeeper of his caliber also helps enormously.