Geronimo Rulli's penalty shootout heroics against Brighton in the Carabao Cup may have some questioning Gianluigi Donnarumma's spot at Manchester City, but manager Enzo Maresca has no doubt about his number one.

Rulli returned to the club in the summer from Marseille for a modest £1.7m to feature as a back-up to the Italy captain, but seemed to press his claims to challenge the jersey with an impressive display.

The 34-year-old dived full stretch to his left to save the last two penalties from Brighton's Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to allow holders City to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.

When asked if Rulli had put pressure on Donnarumma's spot, Maresca told BBC Sport: "No, absolutely not from my point of view.

"He is working well but Rulli knows exactly his role, there is no doubt about that. Saturday it will be Gigio plus 10."

Rulli is no stranger to being the hero in a penalty shootout.

In the 2021 Europa League final, he famously scored a penalty for Villarreal against Manchester United, before denying opposite number David de Gea to decide the marathon shootout and the destiny of the trophy.

If Rulli had not already ingratiated himself to City supporters with that moment against their rivals, then he will have rubberstamped the affection on Wednesday night.

The goalkeeper had spent the 2016-17 season at City without making a first-team appearance and returned to the club to replace James Trafford after the England international moved to Leeds for £45m.

It looks to be a canny piece of business from City.