Guardiola Backs Donnarumma Amid Yellow-Card Scrutiny

Pep Guardiola has dismissed concerns over Gianluigi Donnarumma’s growing disciplinary record at Manchester City, insisting the Italy goalkeeper is mature enough to adjust without intervention. The 26-year-old summer signing has already collected four yellow cards in his brief Premier League career—one away from an automatic suspension—but Guardiola isn’t worried.

Donnarumma has been booked three times for dissent, an issue normally addressed swiftly by managers. But Guardiola, speaking ahead of City’s trip to Fulham, made it clear there would be no special conversation.
“He is adult enough,” the City manager said, adding that the goalkeeper will “step by step, understand things in the league and new behaviours.”

A Weekend Flashpoint and a Growing Talking Point

The cautions were not the only controversy surrounding Donnarumma. Leeds boss Daniel Farke accused the keeper of feigning injury during City’s dramatic 3–2 win at the Etihad—a moment that allowed Guardiola to reorganize his team mid-game. Leeds had clawed back from 2–0 down before Phil Foden’s stoppage-time winner sealed the points.

Feigned injury or not, the incident reignited a recurring debate in English football: where is the line between gamesmanship and rule-bending? City remain under the microscope after recent allegations about tactical stoppages, and Donnarumma is now in the centre of that narrative. One more yellow card sidelines him for a match—an unwelcome consequence with City juggling injuries across key positions.

Yet Guardiola declined to expand on the issue. When asked about Donnarumma in Monday’s media briefing, he delivered just one short answer, saying he has “a lot” of concerns—but offering no detail. The press conference lasted barely two minutes for broadcast reporters, a stark contrast to Guardiola’s usual willingness to elaborate.

Foden’s Rising Leadership and City’s Future

What Guardiola was willing to discuss was Phil Foden. The academy graduate, whose deal expires in 2027, publicly embraced his status as a dressing-room leader after his brace against Leeds. Guardiola echoed those sentiments.

“Hopefully he can stay all his career here,” he said, calling Foden a “special player, a Man City fan, from the academy.”
While Foden isn’t a loud personality off the pitch, Guardiola believes his presence on it speaks for itself. “He never hides,” the manager added.

The situation hints at a broader City evolution: as veterans battle fitness issues, responsibility is shifting toward players once considered the future—now undoubtedly the present.

Rodri’s Absence Continues

Meanwhile, midfield anchor Rodri remains sidelined. After a difficult return from last season’s knee injury, the Spaniard has played just one minute in City’s last 10 matches due to a hamstring setback. He’s already been ruled out of the Fulham game and is doubtful for the weekend clash with Sunderland.

Asked whether Rodri could return soon, Guardiola kept it vague:
“No, not yet.” And on a possible weekend comeback? “I don’t know.”

What It All Means for City

The short-term problem is obvious: Donnarumma is one booking from a suspension, Rodri is unavailable, and City face a challenging fixture run. But the deeper issue is cultural. Guardiola is putting faith in maturity—not discipline—as the solution. He expects the goalkeeper to adapt organically rather than through reprimand.

Will that trust pay off? Or does Donnarumma risk becoming a target for opposition provocation?

With pressure building and injuries mounting, Guardiola’s choice to stay hands-off could prove bold—or costly. Either way, the spotlight isn’t fading anytime soon.