David de Gea is bedding in at Fiorentina and looking to get back to his best – but are his imperfections fixable?
After a year out of football waiting for the right club, and dealing with the shock of leaving Manchester United, goalkeeper David de Gea joined Fiorentina.
De Gea had made two Europa Conference League appearances so far, one of which remarkably ended with him stealing the show in a penalty shootout.
After the nightmare shootout in the Europa League final against Villarreal, De Gea’s heroics suggested he was a changed man.
David de Gea makes Serie A debut
After a wait due to the international break, David de Gea made his Serie A debut for Fiorentina away at Atalanta.
Fiorentina lost the game 3-2, having led twice, an unhappy way for the goalkeeper to end his first league match since May 2023.
De Gea made four saves from the seven shots at goal he faced. Of the goals he conceded, one had a familiar feel.
A ball floated into the box at the end of the first half saw midfielder Charles De Ketalaere rise highest to head past De Gea, who was rooted to the spot.
De Ketalaere scored his header from inside the six yard box, with De Gea’s lack of appetite to go up and claim the ball once again on show.
This has been noticed in Italy already, with former Fiorentina player Alberto Malusci telling Viola News about his frustration.
He said: “On the second goal, I’m sorry to say, but De Gea should have done more.
“In the small area the goalkeeper must come out.”
Perhaps De Gea felt his defenders could cope with the threat – but they didn’t, and the best goalkeepers take control of these situations.
De Gea’s incredible reflexes have already been on show during his Europa League games, but it is these flaws in his game which saw United decide to take a new approach, bringing in Andre Onana.
First home league game awaits
Another milestone awaits David de Gea next weekend with his first Serie A home game against Lazio upcoming.
The Spaniard will be looking to help his side to a first win of the season, with three draws and one defeat from four matches.
De Gea is one of United’s greatest ever goalkeepers, and also features among the highest appearance makers of all time.
He would clearly still have liked to be at Old Trafford, but he’s now very much adjusting to life in Italy, and despite the odd bump, we would expect more good performances than bad.
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