Matteo Gabbia has shed some light on what makes Massimiliano Allegri such a good coach, revealing the hope of the whole squad that he remains at AC Milan.
We’re in the final part of the season, and Milan are faltering. After four defeats in their last seven league games, Napoli have now overtaken the Rossoneri and are in second place, with the gap to fifth place having been trimmed down to five points.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
At the same time, there is a lot of media speculation regarding Allegri’s future as the head coach. Some sources are speaking of a difficult relationship between the manager and the management, while others have claimed that he wants assurances to remain but intends to stay.
Gabbia on injury, Allegri, Modric and more
Gabbia sat down for an interview with MilanNews to answer questions on a number of different topics, from his post-surgery recovery to the aims for the rest of the season.
How are you? Coincidence or not: no Gabbia, no party…
“I’m definitely feeling better. I’ve had a pretty tough time, especially since it was my first operation. It’s also been a time of getting to know my body, and I’ve improved some aspects of my physical health.
“I have to thank the staff, the physiotherapists, and everyone who’s been there for me. They’ve been incredibly important to me, they’ve been like family, and I want to say that today. They’ve done an incredible job, and I thank them.
“The results haven’t been the best these past few weeks, but we have to be good and aware that the season isn’t over yet and that we have an important moment ahead of us to finish this year on a high note.”
How do you explain the decline in recent weeks?
“I think it was a mix of things. There are times in a year when you can struggle and the results don’t come like they used to. You have to be good at staying calm and clear-headed and have the strength that great champions have, and by great champions I mean like the coach.
“We have to have faith in the work we’ve done and are doing. I’m sure this will help us emerge from this negative period and get back to doing what we’ve been doing for much of this year.”
After a very negative last season, how important would it be to return to the Champions League straight away?
“It’s crucial. Working hard to achieve this goal is the entire team’s obsession. We must have this goal in mind and achieve it together. It’s crucial that Milan is in the Champions League. Last year was very negative.
“It’s right to remember how much we suffered here at Milanello, and not just us players. We must never forget what we’ve been through so that we can find the strength to do better every day to achieve our goal.”
How much of a difference does it make to have a coach like Allegri with you?
“He’s a champion, we all agree within the group. He manages moments, good or bad, incredibly. He always knows what to strike, then it’s up to us on the pitch to try to assimilate his requests, but he’s been a very important figure this year. The whole group is happy, we’re very happy with him and his staff.”
There’s been a lot of talk about his future these days. How much do you want him to stay at Milan?
“It’s the whole team’s wish, not just me. I’m speaking for the whole group now: we’re all incredibly happy with the coach and hope he can stay with us for a very long time. But now the most important thing is the results, they determine everything. We have to follow him and give everything 100%, then everything will work out.”
There’s a lot of talk about formations, but Rabiot also spoke about attitude after the Udinese match…
“There’s been a lot of outside chatter about the formation, but you always have to understand who’s saying what and why they’re saying certain things. We’re behind the coach completely. If he tells us to play 1-9, 9-1, or 8-2, we try to do it as best we can.
“We just have to focus on doing the best we can and have the clarity and strength to follow his dictates, which have led us to so many positive things this year.”
Did the boos at San Siro after the defeat against Udinese hurt you?
“We’ve always had great support from the fans, we’ve had some great nights both at home and away. It’s clear that when you lose a match like last Sunday’s, it’s normal for them to boo us.
“I agree with Rabiot when he said that anyone who had been substituted would have received that treatment, it wasn’t just directed at Rafa. It’s not an individual thing, but when we’re booed, it’s a team thing. We have to try to always get the fans on our side.
“This year, we’ve always seen their support, we’re the team with the most fans during matches. We can only thank them and try to always put our heart and soul into the game to make them proud.”
Did dropping out of the Scudetto race affect the team’s mentality?
“I don’t know if this interpretation is correct or not. There are moments in a year when you’re more or less brilliant, and situations arise that perhaps coincide with the moment when the top team in the table drops a bit.
“But that’s the situation. We shouldn’t keep thinking about what could have been or how a certain match could have gone; we just need to think about what to do from here to the end.”
What do you take away from a year working with someone like Luka Modric?
“I carry his greatness with me. He’s an incredible player and an exceptional person. He has the greatness of a champion in every way he acts and behaves, in the dedication he puts into training and matches, in his desire to improve, in his refusal to make a mistake, even though he already makes very few mistakes and has won everything.
“He has incredible passion. I sincerely hope he can stay with us because he’s a fantastic player and an even better person. We’re thrilled. Milan gave me the opportunity to play with such a champion, something few have been fortunate enough to have in their careers. I can say I played with an exceptional phenomenon.”
You said you don’t know why there’s such criticism from certain quarters, especially aimed at Allegri. How much does it bother you that he’s being so systematically targeted?
“It doesn’t really affect me that much. You always have to give weight to those who say certain things. And as a result, we, who work with him every day, are able to understand his strengths and why he’s had the career he’s had. Because it’s never a coincidence if a coach wins what he wins, or a staff achieves certain goals.
“We enjoy him, we’re lucky to have them with us, and as a result, we’re not too affected by what’s said outside. We’re proud to have him with us and we’re happy, and then we have the clarity to understand who’s saying certain things and why, too.”
There was stability in the Pioli era, then there were several changes until Allegri arrived. How important would it be to continue with him?
“It would definitely be crucial to follow through. It’s normal that when you make a change, there’s always a moment where you need to get to know each other, where you need to understand their habits, understand not only the player but also the person.
“Certainly, a longer period of time means you start with a different understanding, with a different relationship not only on the pitch but also in terms of personal trust. I think it would be wonderful and important.
“Football, as I always say, depends a lot on results. So honestly, it’s also about Sunday’s match: managing to get a great result and certainly getting back on track.”
What’s so special about Mr. Allegri?
“He has the ability and clarity to understand the moments. In negative moments, he knows when to come in hard and when to defuse the situation, what to do in tense moments… He has the ability to never make the team feel inferior in that moment, he always gets everyone to perform at their best.
“His match preparation honestly surprised me. I’ve already said, most of the time, when he prepares for the match, he tells us situations that then actually play out during the game exactly as he told us. Consequently, there are many situations where, even with the way he works, he surprises you more and more.”
What can you tell us that we don’t understand about how Allegri works with his staff?
“Honestly, I couldn’t tell you exactly what people don’t understand. I don’t read much into what’s out there. But I think it’s also normal. From the outside, it’s sometimes hard to perceive the little things or the things I mentioned before.
“When you have a personal relationship – a real, daily working relationship – that’s when you get a true sense of a person’s worth.”
How important is it to win in Verona? It’s the only thing that matters right now…
“It’s crucial. It’s a hugely important match, and we’re trying to prepare as best we can this week. We’re working hard. It’s a match that needs to be approached in the right way, without even thinking it could be easy, because Verona are a vibrant team that hasn’t gotten as much as they deserved in many matches.
“The most recent one comes to mind, though, is the one against Fiorentina, where they lost, but on points, Verona was almost more deserving than they were, at least to score a goal. They’re a vibrant team, and we need to approach it in the right way.
“We’ll have to be alert, good, united, as a team, to try to bring home the three points, which right now, and as always, are the most important thing.”
For you, on a personal level, it’s been a very beautiful year between your wedding and the upcoming arrival of your daughter…
“It’s definitely been a wonderful year, not only from a sporting perspective: I always say I’m proud to wear this shirt. But honestly, also from a personal standpoint, between the wedding and now we’re expecting a baby girl… She should be born soon.
“It’s all very beautiful, so I hope that in the meantime, everything goes well in the final stages of this pregnancy for my wife and the baby, and that in the end, we can also finish the year on the right foot, ensuring it’s a truly wonderful time all round and that I can enjoy a wonderful summer with my daughter.
The three-man defence has given you back so much confidence and security. Until recently, you were one of the teams that had conceded the fewest goals in Europe…
“I think that’s definitely part of the reason, but I also stick to Adrien’s point. I mean, I read what he said, and it’s true. When we play, we’re united, aggressive, always fighting until the last second, and without these things, everything becomes much more difficult, regardless of the formation.
“What counts is what we have inside us, what we put on the pitch: when we get to the game, it makes the difference. That’s the only thing we have to do on Sunday.”
Does that mean that Leao will actually play defence and maybe win the ball once in a while ????