AC Milan coach Rino Gattuso has defended Gigio Donnarumma after his performance in the Coppa Italia final defeat to Juventus.

Donnarumma made two howlers in that 4-0 defeat and seemed most hurt by the setback.

Gattuso said: “It's a fact that Gigio made two mistakes, but that's part of sport and being a professional. The important thing is that when someone makes a mistake in life, he needs time to recover, but in sport you immediately have another chance to make up for it. That's what I love about sport.

“I am the Coach, I do not decide who stays or leaves, nor work on the transfer market. With regards to Donnarumma's future, you'd have to ask (director of sport Massimiliano) Mirabelli.

“What we forget is that he's only 19 years old. It's true he made mistakes too, but in football you need more than just talent, you must have a clear head. It's already a difficult sport, let alone when your mind isn't calm. If he's making more errors, it's because his mind is being affected by these reports of PSG or whoever. I don't know who is spreading these reports, it could be his entourage, but it is affecting him.

“I was a player for 20 years, I know that when there was something bothering me, I couldn't perform to my usual standard. When your wife is annoying you, it's not easy to do your best work, for example, is it?"