Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois came to Gianluiggi Donnarumma's defence after Manuel Neuer slammed the Italian custodian for his role in Jamal Musiala's horror injury during a Club World Cup quarter-final clash between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Musiala had to be stretchered off the pitch in the first half after suffering a freak ankle injury.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Neuer criticised Donnarumma for Musiala's injury
• Courtois defended PSG star
• PSG beat Bayern 2-0

• Table of Contents

  Toggle

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The German midfielder was stretchered off in the first half of Bayern's 2-0 Club World Cup quarter-final loss to PSG, following a collision with Donnarumma. Musiala was in immense pain as he twisted his ankle and the youngster's condition left the players on the pitch in great distress.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After the game, veteran Bayern goalkeeper Neuer did not hold back while criticising the PSG custodian as he called the Italian's challenge 'reckless'. Madrid's Courtois, however, defended the PSG star as he claimed that Donnarumma should not be blamed for Musiala's condition.

• WHAT COURTOIS SAID

  Speaking to reporters, the Belgian said: "Blaming Donnarumma for Musiala 's injury seems excessive to me. Goalkeepers go for the ball. Forwards don't hold back when they get in our way either. It's bad luck. It will hurt him more because he's on his team, but Donnarumma isn't to blame."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR DONNARUMMA?

  The 26-year-old will be back in action next Wednesday as the reigning European champions take on Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-final.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News