Donnarumma: Last season's failure to win the title was painful

Donnarumma told Sky Sports that failing to win the Premier League last season was very difficult, and praised his teammates' impeccable performance.

"I love how my teammates played, it was impeccable," he said in an interview with Sky Sports. "We were able to stay focused in games and adjust quickly in difficult situations, which is a quality no one can take away from us."

"We will give our all for this shirt, for this club that has given us so much and provided endless support. It has a glorious history, and we need to repay it with our performances."

Few expected Manchester City to maintain a perfect record this season, especially after the departures of key members like Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, Stones, and Rodri ahead of the international break.

Manchester City's performance in some areas has not been flawless, and even Donnarumma admitted that despite a strong start under Maresca, the team still has a lot to learn. But this was supposed to be Manchester City's transition season.

"I don't really like the word 'transition'," he added. "The club's goal is to win, and this team's goal is to win. We will definitely do our best to achieve this goal. At the end of the season, we might lift a trophy, or we might win nothing. But what's important is to have a winning mentality, to step onto the field and do our best to win every game."

One of the drivers of this winning mentality is Donnarumma, who is part of the team's newly formed leadership core, stepping into the roles previously held by Bernardo Silva, Stones, and Rodri.

In the team's leadership hierarchy, Donnarumma stands alongside Rúben Dias, Haaland, and Guéhi. These four players share one commonality: they have all won championship trophies in their careers with Manchester City and other clubs.

Therefore, as new signings like Buoye, Elliott-Anderson, and Ndiaye gradually integrate into the team and bear the heavy responsibility of making an immediate impact in this "transition season," this four-person leadership group will be responsible for raising the team's standards.

"There have been personnel changes in the team, and several new players have arrived," Donnarumma said. "They are all top players, accustomed to playing on the biggest stages, dealing with various situations, and adapting to the pace of the Premier League."

"It's never easy to start at a new club, a new team, and move to a new city. But they've adapted well, and we're helping them integrate quickly and feel comfortable. The veterans who stayed have given them a lot of help. I think we'll have a great season."

"The goal is to go all the way, to compete for every honor possible: the Premier League, the Champions League, and the two domestic cups."

This is a clear signal from Manchester City: anything is possible for this team. But on Donnarumma's path to challenging for the Premier League and Champions League titles, one team stands in the way: Arsenal.

Arteta's team also started the league with four consecutive wins before losing to Brighton, and their Premier League title triumph over Manchester City last May gives them an additional psychological advantage.

In a recently aired documentary about Guardiola, there are scenes of Manchester City players' disappointment and frustration after their loss to Bournemouth, which handed the title to the Gunners. Donnarumma was one of them.

"That feeling was very tough, but this is football, this is life. You're not fighting alone," he said when discussing that disappointment. "There are other strong teams, especially in the Premier League. It's not that you won't be disappointed if you don't win—of course you will—but it can happen because there are other teams, and it's the same in the Champions League."

"The important thing is to fight for victory in every game. Our goal is certainly to win, but so is that of other teams. You have to compete, to work hard, to give everything you can, because the history of this club demands it."

Will Manchester City and Arsenal compete for the top spot again next May? "I don't know. The season has only had four games," said the Italian goalkeeper. But the team's goal is already clear. "Our focus now must be to train hard and win every game. That is our goal. Whether we achieve it in the end, only time will tell."

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