PSG will respond to Champions League exit – Donnarumma

Gianluigi Donnarumma says Paris Saint-Germain will recover from the “hard blow” of crashing out of the Champions League as they turn their attention to winning Ligue 1.

PSG capitulated in the second leg of their round-of-16 tie against Real Madrid, squandering a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 on aggregate at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Italy goalkeeper Donnarumma was at fault for the first of Karim Benzema’s three goals, an error that sparked an incredible Madrid fightback.

The former Milan man has called on the Ligue 1 leaders to regroup as they prepare to face Bordeaux on Sunday.

He tweeted: “The elimination from the Champions League was a hard blow.

“The last two days have not been easy, but we come out stronger from these moments of difficulty.

“Now we have to think about the present, about winning Ligue 1, giving everything as I have always done for this shirt, for this club and for our fans. Let’s start again together! Allez Paris.”

Former Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon earlier backed Donnarumma to silence his critics.

Taking aim at Donnarumma’s critics, Buffon told the Corriere dello Sport: “Errors from goalkeepers are normal. Gigi can still give a lot for PSG. One or two mistakes a season are psychological.

“He made an unpopular choice joining PSG, but it must be respected. He wanted to fuel his ambition, something many didn’t like. 

“They’re the people who were waiting for this mistake. The problem is not the French who are enjoying it, but the Italians who were waiting for that.”