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Parma keeper Buffon defends Donnarumma after PSG howler: Critics have been waiting

Parma goalkeeper Gigi Buffon says Gigio Donnarumma mustn't dwell on his error in PSG's Champions League defeat at Real Madrid.

Former AC Milan No1 Donnarumma is being blamed for Real's second goal, with PSG eventually being eliminated 3-2 on aggregate.

Buffon told Il Corriere dello Sport: "Errors like that are useful to grow up, they are part of a developing process and I am sure it will have no negative impact because Donnarumma has already proved to have the strength to overcome the difficult moments.

“He is too solid to be affected by all this. Gigio is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, one of the top three with Thibaut Courtois and Manuel Neuer.

“I want to be very honest, that would have been a foul in Italy. Perhaps after a VAR check. As a goalkeeper, I would be furious. On the other hand, Real Madrid players would have gone mad had the referee blown the whistle.

“I can add that, if Gigio remained on the ground, he would have obtained something else. We've seen many players doing that, but he was honest. He sent a message to the referee by getting up immediately, 'the contact was irrelevant.'

“Errors are normal, Gigio can still give a lot. It's a mistake that can't lead to questioning the player's value. One or two mistakes per season are physiological.

“Gigio made an unpopular choice [by joining PSG] which must be respected. He wanted to fuel his ambition, something that many didn't like. They are the same people who were waiting for his mistake.

“The problem is not the French who are enjoying it, but the Italians who were waiting for that."

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