As the Azzurri’s lost to their Spanish counterpart in Thursday’s UEFA Nations League clash, Gianluigi Donnarumma was booed by his Italian supporters all throughout the 2-1 defeat to Spain as he returned to the San Siro for the first time since swapping AC Milan for PSG.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper was Italy’s penalty shootout hero in the Euro 2020 final win over England and was named Player of the Tournament over the summer, but was jeered by his own fans due to his decision to quit boyhood club Milan this year.
Boos and whistles emerged from the San Siro every time the goalkeeper touched the ball in the Nations League loss to Luis Enrique’s Spain and the abuse followed a series of banners produced to provide a hostile Milan return for Donnarumma.
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On Tuesday, a separate banner was placed outside the hotel where the Italian national team were staying for the match by Milan ultras, which read: ‘’Donnarumma, you will never be welcomed in Milan again, piece of s***.’’
Roberto Mancini revealed his frustrations at hearing his goalkeeper booed during the match – as he felt that type of atmosphere was more suited to a club match.
The Italian manager said after the game: ‘’Donnarumma played for Italy and it was not a club game.
This situation could have been put aside for one night and whistled in a possible PSG vs Milan. Italy are Italy and come above all.’’
Donnarumma switched Milan for French giants Paris Saint-Germain after Italy’s Euro 2020 victory, moving on a free transfer after his contract with the Rossoneri ran out.
The Italian came through the youth ranks at Milan and spent six seasons in the club’s first-team, making over 250 Rossoneri appearances in all competitions, but quit the club to sign a reported £200,000 a week plus add-ons deal in France.
He returned to Milan for the first time since his Serie A exit on Wednesday night, when he conceded twice in the first half to Ferran Torres’ double as Italy went down 2-1 in their Nations League semi-final.
It was the first time Donnarumma had conceded more than one goal in an international fixture, despite the 22-year-old making his national team debut five years ago.
Former Juventus and Roma manager Fabio Capello called on Italy fans to not boo Donnarumma on Wednesday night, even though the Italian manager admitted the goalkeeper had been ‘ungrateful’ to Milan and its supporters.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s clash, Capello told Il Corriere dello Sport: ‘’I hope they will fulfil his desire because he is a national team player who has given an enormous contribution.
‘’However, let me say that he was ungrateful to Milan. After all the club did for him and his family when he was a kid, he should have behaved differently.’’ [AF]
