Why is Donnarumma so good at saving penalties?

Gianluigi Donnarumma joined Paris St-Germain in 2021

It is the life of a goalkeeper.

One day you are the villain. The next, you are the hero.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was blamed by some for Paris St-Germains defeat by Liverpool last week, allowing Harvey Elliots 88th-minute effort - the Reds only shot on target - to slip in.

At the other end, the Italians opposite number Alisson produced the "performance of his career" as he single-handedly kept the French side at bay in Paris.

On Tuesday night, the tables turned.

Italys Donnarumma was the hero, saving two of Liverpools three penalties in a shootout to send his side through to the Champions League quarter-finals.

"The first game belonged to Alisson, the second game belonged to Donnarumma," said PSG boss Luis Enrique.

Donnarumma has now won six of the seven penalty shootouts he has taken part in for club and country.

Since making his debut aged 16 for boyhood club AC Milan, Donnarumma has faced 60 penalties across his club and international career.

He has saved 14 of those, giving him a save percentage of 23.3%.

Remarkably, the Italians penalty shootout record is identical.

Donnarumma has saved 10 of the 43 spot-kicks he has faced during shootouts - a save percentage of 23.3%.

Donnarumma, who was player of the tournament after Italys 2021 Euros triumph, saved penalties from Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho in the final against England at Wembley.

His full record for penalties faced during matches and in shootouts is 24 saves from 103 penalties.

Donnarumma missed Enriques pre-shootout team talk as he headed down the tunnel, choosing instead to retrieve some pre-prepared notes from the dressing room about Liverpools spot-kicks.

"I had prepared something with my trainer, it was right to take something back to try to save some penalties," said Donnarumma.

"I see a lot of criticism from journalists without knowing what the goalkeepers job is.

"In the first leg we conceded a shot and a goal, it seemed like it was my fault but I always think about smiling, giving my best and working for the team."

At 6ft 5in, Donnarumma cuts an imposing figure.

But unlike many of his peers, he has a slightly different tactic for penalties.

Many goalkeepers use the moments before a penalty is taken to attempt to get into the head of the taker - slowing down the taking of the penalty, retrieving the ball for the taker or moving along their line.

Donnarumma is different.

Laidback and calm, the Italian barely moves until the player puts the ball on the spot.

Just as they are readying their run-up, he expands his arms to make the goal look as small as possible.

"The idea behind that is to stand as slim as you can to start with," former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told Football Daily.

"The ball goes on the spot, now youre putting doubt in their mind, you spread yourself, make yourself big and awkward, making the goal look smaller.

"You dont do that when theyre walking forward. You do it when the ball is on the spot to put doubt in their mind in the last seconds."

Donnarumma remained level-headed after both of his penalty saves, barely celebrating as he prepared for the next.

"Im sat here watching Donnarumma and thinking, Wow, look at the size of him!" Warnock added.

"How imposing is he in that goal? If he dives the right way he stands a great chance of getting it. The guys a monster."