Geronimo Rulli produced penalty shootout heroics to propel Carabao Cup holders Manchester City past Brighton and into the quarter-finals, but manager Enzo Maresca insisted the veteran will not displace Gianluigi Donnarumma. Following a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, the 34-year-old goalkeeper preserved City's defense of the trophy by diving full stretch to his left to turn away the final two spot-kicks from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk.
City had earlier fallen behind twice to strikes from Malick Yalcouye and Georginio Rutter, but equalising goals from Mateo Kovavic and Vitor Reis kept the hosts alive. Rulli also executed a crucial fingertip save to deny Rutter in the second half to keep the tie level. Maresca, who implemented nine changes from the weekend defeat at Aston Villa, praised Rulli’s contribution with the ball against Brighton's aggressive pressing, noting: "Apart from penalties, overall he was good especially in the build-up."
Despite Rulli's display, the Argentine will return to the bench for Saturday's Premier League encounter against the same opponents. Questions had surfaced regarding Donnarumma's recent form following an error against Aston Villa, but the Italy captain was granted three days off alongside Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson, and Josko Gvardiol to recover energy. Dismissing any selection controversy, Maresca stated: "He is working well but Rulli knows exactly his role, there is no doubt about that. Saturday it will be Gigio plus 10."
Rulli, who was signed from Marseille for £1.7m to replace £45m Leeds departure James Trafford, famously delivered shootout success for Villarreal against Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final. City now advance to face Bradford in the last eight, with Arsenal and Chelsea already eliminated. Addressing the quest to retain the cup, Maresca said: "It's a different competition but the ambition has to be the same: this is a new project, new players, a new manager who started three months ago and we need to do our business and that is winning games."