Donnarumma: ‘Luis Enrique gave PSG calm, but Italy victory is different’

epa12148313 Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of PSG celebrates after winning the UEFA Coppa Campioni final between Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale Milano, in Munich, Germany 31 May 2025. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF

Gianluigi Donnarumma explains that Luis Enrique gave Paris Saint-Germain ‘freedom and calm’ in the build-up to their Coppa Campioni triumph, but it still cannot compare to victory with Italy.

The Italy international securing his first ever Coppa Campioni trophy represents the lone bright spot for Calcio this evening, as Inter were crushed 5-0 in Munich by goals from Achraf Hakimi, Desiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and 18-year-old Senny Mayulu.

“There was everything in these tears, the tough season where we were almost out of the Coppa Campioni, losing 2-0 to Manchester City at home and reacted. That was where our fightback started and now we will enjoy every moment, because it has been an extraordinary season,” Donnarumma told Sky Sport Italia.

Donnarumma praises Luis Enrique approach

Although Inter reached the Coppa Campioni Final for the second time in three years, that experience was nowhere to be seen, as the young and bright PSG side dominated the match.

“The coach gives us freedom, calm, the time to stay home with our families, because when preparing these important games, I think the more you are in the training ground thinking about it, the more pressure it builds. This is his philosophy and it works, I agree with it,” said the goalkeeper.

“We were so calm and confident, it barely felt like a Coppa Campioni Final. I know how much Italians care about this, I know the amount of determination they put into these situations, but we were so perfectly set-out, we had a lot of movement on the field and gave no reference points. I think that really helped too.”

Donnarumma decisive for PSG

The goalkeeper was decisive in reaching the Final with his saves against Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal, but only really had to make one in Munich, as the Nerazzurri rarely threatened his end of the pitch.

Despite that, and his key role in winning EURO 2020 for Italy, he had been so bitterly criticised by PSG fans and the media in the last few years.

“Yes, they said everything about me, but with the Euros you have a whole country behind you. It’s different. When you represent a country, there is even more tension. Every Final is important and exciting, but winning the Coppa Campioni is one thing, winning for Italy is another.”

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His contract is running down at Paris Saint-Germain, so will he sit down to sign a new deal?

“I don’t know, we’ll see. Now we have two important games to qualify for the World Cup, so we must be concentrated and ready, especially in Norway, which is going to be really complicated,” concluded Donnarumma.

PSG have effectively done the Quadruple this season, winning the Coppa Campioni, Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and French Super Cup.