AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso defended not starting Gonzalo Higuain for their Supercoppa defeat to Juventus.

Higuain was not in the starting XI, officially because of a fever, but many saw it as an excuse to disguise his imminent transfer to Chelsea.

Gattuso insisted: “He's unlucky at the moment. He had a fever last night, we did everything to get him better, but he didn't play much, so I preferred a fresher player.

“It might seem like a joke, but honestly, it's true! Higuain wasn't in the picture when the Saudi Prince came to visit because I was afraid the virus would spread among the other players, so that was my decision."

Gattuso was asked if this was Higuain's last appearance in a Milan jersey.

“I've got a burning inside me, we have 25 players, so let's not talk about this now. We lick our wounds and will see what happens tomorrow."