Farke Accuses Donnarumma (Man City) of Simulating Injury in Agonizing Victory

Technical director Daniel Farke suggested that Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma faked an injury to allow Pep Guardiola to give his players a talk, before the team achieved a 3-2 victory over Leeds in the Premier League. After City dominated the first half at the Etihad Stadium, with a goal from Phil Foden at 59 seconds and another from Josko Gvardiol, the momentum completely changed in the second half. Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored Leeds’ first goal. The score was still 2-1 in City’s favor when Donnarumma requested medical assistance, which led Guardiola to gather his players to adjust the strategy in the face of Leeds’ tactical change. Although Leeds drew after a penalty conceded by Gvardiol, which Lukas Nmecha converted after a rebound from a Donnarumma shot, City finally prevailed thanks to another goal by Foden in stoppage time.

Farke felt there was a change in the game after Donnarumma received medical attention, even though his team managed to equalize.

It’s within the rules. It’s smart. If I like it, if it’s in the spirit of fair play, if it should be that way, I keep it to myself and let the authorities find solutions. It’s within the rules.

Daniel Farke

Guardiola stated that he believed Donnarumma’s injury was genuine and instructed James Trafford to warm up in case it was necessary.

I didn’t speak with Gigio (Donnarumma). When it happened, I looked at the bench and said ‘James, warm up’. I don’t know. In the next press conference you can ask me and I will ask Gigio.

Pep Guardiola

The City arrived at the match after two consecutive defeats against Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen. Conceding a two-goal lead to draw against a team in danger of relegation would have been a hard blow to their title aspirations. Guardiola admitted he felt relief after Foden’s goal. It was a relief. The game wasn’t perfect in the first half, but it should have ended with the opportunities we had, we didn’t concede and then they hurt us with the system as Leverkusen has done with a 5-3-2. The City coach added that football is emotion and that they reacted well after conceding the second goal. Guardiola highlighted the importance of getting the ball into the area quickly and Foden’s quality in defining the match.