MADRID — Gianluigi Donnarumma said it’s an “advantage” for Manchester City that Real Madrid are missing Kylian Mbappé for their Champions League round-of-16 first-leg tie.
Mbappé sat out training on Tuesday and is set to be sidelined when City line up at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
The Frenchman is the top scorer in this season’s Champions League with 13 goals and scored a hat-trick against City as Pep Guardiola’s side were dumped out of the competition in the playoffs a year ago.
Donnarumma played with Mbappé during his time at Paris Saint-Germain and the Italian goalkeeper said he should have a quieter night with the striker confirmed to the stands.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with Kylian and he’s one of the most amazing players in the world,” Donnarumma told a news conference on Tuesday. “He’s a great talent and as a great keeper not facing these players can be an advantage.
“I have less work to do, but the players that will replace him are champions. We are playing against Real Madrid, a team that is made up of champions so we will have to pay the same attention.
“I’m a great friend of his and I hope he can come back soon and be ready for the second leg because he deserves it.”
Donnarumma is a reigning Champions League winner after success in the competition with PSG last season.
The 27-year-old moved to the Etihad Stadium in the summer and after six months at City he said he’s seen enough to believe his new club are contenders to lift the trophy.
“I think there are some teams that can make it to the final,” he said. “There are many strong teams, tough teams. If we speak about last season, before the last 16 no one thought PSG could be strong candidates to win but things can change.
“It depends on timing. Right now we are about to play games where you are in or out. Every single detail could make the difference.
“Details are everything. Many teams are candidates. We try to make it until the end but there are very strong teams who will do the same.”
