PSG midfielder Marco Verratti has rejected criticism of teammate Gigio Donnarumma ahead of Italy's World Cup playoffs.

Former AC Milan goalkeeper Donnarumma goes into Italy's clash with North Macedonia on the back of heavy criticism from the French press after PSG's Champions League elimination by Real Madrid.

Verratti said: "When you walk into Coverciano, you forgot everything that happened before, the defeats at club level, and you remember what we did last summer.

“Donnarumma is disappointed by the error against Real Madrid, but Gigio is a special guy. He was already back working the next day with the same enthusiasm.

“Let us not forget what he did for Italy during the Euros. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world."