Rulli saves two penalties to rescue Man City in Carabao Cup shootout against Brighton

Geronimo Rulli saved two penalties to send Manchester City past Brighton and into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night, with the Blues winning the shootout 4-3 after a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

City found themselves behind twice in normal time. Malick Yalcouye and Georginio Rutter both put Brighton ahead, only for Mateo Kovacic and Vitor Reis to level on each occasion and force the tie to penalties.

The shootout nearly ended City’s run when Kovacic’s spot kick was saved by Jason Steele, leaving the hosts on the brink of elimination. Rulli then denied Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk, with Rayan Cherki converting in between, to seal the win and send City through.

Speaking after the game, Rulli revealed he had predicted the outcome before kick-off. “Before the game, I spoke to Enzo Fernandez and I said to him: ‘If we go to penalties, I will save two,’” the Argentine goalkeeper said. “I feel the confidence and really nice in these kind of situations and ready to help.”

Rulli, who serves as back-up to Gianluigi Donnarumma at Chelsea, was candid about the challenges of his role. “I try to be better, day-by-day. I try to push, every single day and when I have the moment, I try to take the opportunity because my position is not so easy,” he said.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Rulli is operating as Donnarumma’s deputy this season, and reiterated post-match that Donnarumma will return between the posts for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Brighton.