A day after Yann Sommer’s outstanding performance helped Inter Milan knock out Barcelona and book a spot in the Champions League final, Gianluigi Donnarumma responded with a goalkeeping masterclass of his own to guide Paris Saint-Germain past Arsenal and into the May 31 showdown in Munich.
Donnarumma, the towering 6-foot-6 Italian shot-stopper, was immense as PSG held off a spirited Arsenal side determined to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit. Early in the match, Donnarumma produced two spectacular saves—first denying Gabriel Martinelli at point-blank range, then stretching low through a sea of bodies to somehow get a hand to Martin Ødegaard’s fierce drive.
“It was a beautiful match,” Donnarumma reflected after the game. “My save today on Ødegaard? It was very nice, the ball went between the legs of one of my teammates. I work a lot on low balls, but Mother Nature also had her say.”
Those crucial interventions kept PSG in control before Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi struck to give the French side breathing room. Though Bukayo Saka managed a late reply, it proved too little, too late.
“When you look at the two games, who has been their best player on the pitch has been the goalkeeper,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “He’s made a difference for them in the tie.”
Donnarumma also stood firm in the first leg in London, producing a series of key stops that preserved PSG’s advantage. In total, he made five saves in the second leg, but just as vital was his dominance of the penalty area as Arsenal resorted to long balls and set pieces in search of a breakthrough.
“He showed why he’s an elite goalkeeper,” Arsenal forward Mikel Merino said. “He made some incredible saves and kept them in the game.”
Declan Rice echoed the praise: “Over the two legs, we could have scored three or four goals, but Donnarumma’s been unbelievable.”
Despite the spotlight, Donnarumma remained humble—choosing to credit Inter’s Yann Sommer for his own semifinal heroics. “Yesterday Sommer was very good, he made more saves than me. He played a fantastic match, it was a great game.”
With PSG set to face Inter in the final, the stage is now set for two of Europe’s top goalkeepers to meet in a blockbuster clash in Munich.
