Match
Rulli saves twice in shootout as Man City edge Brighton into Carabao Cup quarter-finals
The Argentine goalkeeper stopped penalties from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to send the holders through after a 2-2 draw.
FootVal Newsroom
Manchester City advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after beating Brighton 4-3 on penalties, with the match having finished 2-2 after normal time. Gerónimo Rulli was the decisive figure, saving from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk — whose fifth-kick miss ended the tie — to send Enzo Maresca's side through.
Rulli's display prompted questions about whether he could threaten Gianluigi Donnarumma's place as first-choice goalkeeper, but Maresca was unequivocal after the match. According to Fabrizio Romano, the manager said: 'Absolutely not. He's working well, but he knows exactly his role, and there is not any doubt about that.' Maresca confirmed Donnarumma would start at the weekend alongside the rest of the first-choice side.
The Guardian reported that a second-half substitute appearance from Jérémy Doku transformed City's performance and shifted the momentum of the tie. Rulli, 34, has made 29 appearances for City this season across all competitions, with FootVal's valuation placing him at €3.8m. Donnarumma, 27, has a FootVal valuation of €46m and is contracted to the club until June 2030.
As holders, City remain on course to defend the trophy. Their victory sets up a Premier League encounter between the same two sides in the coming days.
Sources
This article is based on reports by:
- L'Équipe — Manchester City qualifié pour les quarts de finale de la League Cup grâce à l'ancien Marseillais Geronimo Rulli
- The Guardian — Rulli’s heroics earn Manchester City shootout success against Brighton
- Evening Standard — Man City 2-2 Brighton (4-3 on penalties): Geronimo Rulli the hero as holders progress via shootout
- Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) — 🚨 Enzo Maresca when asked if Gero Rulli’s performance can put Gianluigi Donnarumma’s #1 role in danger: “No.
- Foot Mercato — League Cup : grâce à Géronimo Rulli, City s’offre Brighton
- Daily Mail — Holders Man City keep Carabao Cup defence on track after Geronimo Rulli penalty heroics against Brighton - as breathless tie between second strings sets up mouth-watering Premier League clash
- TuttoMercatoWeb — Rulli come Donnarumma: para 2 rigori e trascina il City ai quarti di Coppa di Lega
Written by the FootVal newsroom from the reports below, with figures from FootVal’s own database. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. · How we report