By Sohaib Shams
Manchester City progressed to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after a 2-2 draw with Brighton at the Etihad Stadium was settled by a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saving the decisive spot-kicks from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk.
Rulli's shootout heroics
The 34-year-old Argentine also made a crucial fingertip save to deny Georginio Rutter in the second half, forcing the match to penalties after City had twice come from behind. Goals from Malick Yalcouye and Rutter put Brighton ahead, but Mateo Kovacic and Vitor Reis equalised for the holders.
Maresca insists Donnarumma remains first choice
Despite Rulli's performance, manager Enzo Maresca said the veteran's role as backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma is unchanged. "No, absolutely not from my point of view. He is working well but Rulli knows exactly his role, there is no doubt about that. Saturday it will be Gigio plus 10," Maresca told reporters.
Rulli's history of penalty success
Rulli, who rejoined City from Marseille for £1.7m in the summer after a previous spell in 2016-17 without a first-team appearance, is no stranger to shootout heroics. He scored and saved the winning penalty for Villarreal against Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final.
Donnarumma rested after recent mistakes
Donnarumma has been given three days off along with Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Josko Gvardiol to recover energy. Maresca acknowledged the Italy captain has been "making some mistakes", including being at fault for Aston Villa's second goal in City's previous defeat.
City face Bradford in quarter-finals
With Arsenal and Chelsea eliminated, City will meet Bradford in the last eight. Maresca, who has lost only to Villa, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in the Community Shield since taking charge, said the competition remains a priority: "It's a different competition but the ambition has to be the same: this is a new project... we need to do our business and that is winning games."
