1. Maresca: ‘He’s a strong character’

Enzo Maresca has given his backing to Gianluigi Donnarumma after the goalkeeper’s costly errors in Manchester City’s recent defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.

Donnarumma was at fault for Nicolas Jackson’s game-winning strike at Villa Park on Saturday, the forward’s long-range shot squeezing under the Italian’s body and leading to City’s first league defeat of the season. Against PSG in the Champions League this month, Donnarumma was at fault for Désiré Doué’s and Maghnes Akliouche’s goals as City lost 4-2 against the holders.

“As a football player or manager, when you don’t get results or make some mistakes, it’s normal. It’s a consequence,” Maresca said. “Gigio since we started is doing well. Like any manager or player making some mistakes, it’s part of the season.

“They [footballers] play so many games and minutes that sometimes it’s impossible not to make mistakes. He’s a strong character.…