Why Gianluigi Donnarumma Is Proving the Future Is Extremely Bright for AC Milan

Sinisa Mihajlovic is not afraid of taking risks. The AC Milan coach has made several bold public proclamations and has also gambled with his team selections, most notably in picking 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Fortunately, that particular gamble is reaping early dividends.

Donnarumma is only 16 years of age. Mentally, physically and technically, he seems much older. A goalkeeping colossus at 6’5”, he has the mindset of a more experienced professional. And in terms of skill set, he is yet to have been found wanting.

With Spanish former No. 1 Diego Lopez showing early-season jitters, Mihajlovic called Donnarumma into the starting line-up for Milan’s must-win home game against Sassuolo on October 25.

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Any notions that this decision was a mistake made by a beleaguered coach under scrutiny fell away fairly quickly. Milan won that game 2-1, and the youngster kept his place for the following three league games, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

His most recent display during Milan’s 0-0 draw at home to Atalanta was the strongest validation yet of Mihajlovic’s decision to throw him in at the deep end.

Atalanta visited San Siro on the back of a positive start to their 2015-16 campaign and dominated large swathes of the match. Defensively well-organised, Atalanta were a difficult proposition for Milan to break down and gradually piled pressure on the home side.

Donnarumma was called into action at several key junctures. Firm hands enabled him to tip away a close-range strike from Maximiliano Moralez at his near post. Later in the game, quick reactions saw him stick out a leg to deny Mauricio Pinilla’s passed shot from inside the penalty box.

Per WhoScored’s statistics, he was Milan’s best player on the night in what was the first true test of his capability. He didn’t just not look out of place; he thrived in the limelight.

After the game, Atalanta winger Alejandro Gomez praised Donnarumma, telling Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia), “Donnarumma was really impressive, as it’s not easy at the age of 16 to wear the Milan jersey.”

Gomez was correct in his analysis that the young goalkeeper had been the difference between one point and no points for Milan that night.

In that match, Donnarumma showed a remarkable level of composure considering the role he is being asked to fulfil.

Goalkeeping is a lonely task and, furthermore, it is one fraught with obvious pitfalls. If a striker misses a chance, few spectators will blink and the game carries on. However if a goalkeeper misses a catch or a save, concession of a goal is often the immediate consequence.

As a result, goalkeepers can see their careers defined by one piece of bad positioning, their reputations destroyed by a bad bobble on an uneven surface.

Given it is such a testing and specialised position, it is no surprise that goalkeepers tend not to establish themselves until well into their 20s, by which time they are more mature and, frankly, hardened, to deal with the intense spotlight thrust upon them by the nature of football.

Donnarumma has transitioned into first-team football at a much earlier stage in his development than is often expected of a goalkeeper. And his startlingly fast rise to prominence is no twist of fate. Rather, it is part of Mihajlovic’s long-term plan.

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Milan’s coach has shown in his first few months with the club that he is not averse to including young players. Donnarumma is the best example, but he he’s not the only one. Eighteen-year-old right-back Davide Calabria also made his first start for the Rossoneri this season.

Discussing Donnarumma, Mihajlovic gave an indication of this policy, stating, per UEFA.com, “I don't look at age, I look at whether someone is good or not when I decide who is playing.”

In the recent past, Milan have made a habit of selling their best youth talent, but that has changed since Mihajlovic took charge. The Serbian manager has brought with him a fresh zeal for nurturing players from the Primavera and offered them genuine opportunities.

This outlook has meant that Lopez, one of Milan’s best players last season, has been relieved of first-team duties. It was perhaps a harsh call by Mihajlovic, but with each passing game it gains greater merit.