Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been one of the stars of Euro 2020 and put in another stellar performance in his side’s quarter final win over Belgium.
Donnarumma made several key stops as his side recorded a deserved 2-1 victory over the world’s number one ranked side.
The former Milan shot-stopper will once again play a crucial role for the Azzurri in Tuesday night’s last four tie against Spain at Wembley as he looks to add to his impressive national record.
Friday night’s win over Belgium saw the 22-year-old wear an eye-catching pair of gloves that are covered by 288 spikes to help him punch the ball.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
The Adidas Predator Pro gloves have the special design which is beneficial for goalkeepers when they opt to punch the ball away from danger.
The Predator range is most well-known for its football boots, made famous by former England stars David Beckham and Steven Gerrard, among others.
The spiked design is to allow goalkeepers to enjoy greater distance and accuracy on their punches with enhanced power and control.
The gloves are available to buy via Adidas for £100 and have also been worn by Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea and Aaron Ramsdale, who is currently part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Donnarumma is perhaps the highest profile player to use the gloves and Italy’s first-choice goalkeeper is also reportedly about to join Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
The shot-stopper left Milan – where he has spent the entirety of his career – earlier this summer and is now set to move to Paris, but not before another huge match for his national side.
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(Image: Philipp Guelland/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Speaking ahead of the semi-final against Spain, Italy boss Roberto Mancini has said: “In the last 20 years they have dominated world football so I don’t think they will change their style of play now.
“Luis Enrique is a great coach for what he has shown.
“They have a style of play, invented by them, which has led them to extraordinary successes and they continue to do it well. Ours will be slightly different, we are Italian and we cannot suddenly become Spanish. We will try to play our game.
“We know that it won’t be that easy. We know that we need to produce a big performance because Spain are a top side.”
Mancini’s Spanish counterpart Luis Enrique focused his pre-match press conference on the lack of Spaniards and Italians who will be in attendance for the match.
As the game is being played at Wembley, only UK-based fans are allowed to attend due to strict travel restrictions currently in place across Europe – with no fans of Spain, Italy or Denmark who are not living in the UK able to attend.
Spain boss Luis Enrique said: “It is a strange situation. I hope there are Spanish and Italians more than English fans, but they are things we cannot control. “I am not going to waste any energy on it. We wish it was different but we accept it.”
