Matteo Gabbia confirmed that Theo Hernandez apologised to his AC Milan team-mates, revealing what happened after the Feyenoord game.
To say that it has been a whirlwind last 48 hours for Milan would be a real understatement, and it all started with the elimination from the Champions League against Feyenoord on Tuesday night.
The major incident in that game was Theo’s red card and it has led to suggestions that his time at Milan will end in the summer. Meanwhile, there has been speculation about the future of head coach Sergio Conceicao and several other players too.
A report from La Repubblica even spoke of tension between Conceicao and Christian Pulisic, but this was stamped out by a statement that the American winger put out through the club’s channels.
Gabbia attended the presentation of the 20th Amici dei Bambini Tournament and he spoke to a reporter from MilanNews to answer questions on a number of topics.
Tuesday night did not go to plan…
“The last evening in the Champions League was not easy. We spoke to each other, we discussed and we understood that the only way at this moment is to work, to give our best in what we do. The season is still long: there is the league, there is the Coppa Italia, we have goals.
“We have the moral obligation to give everything for ourselves and for the fans who always follow us. Consequently we must try to reach them, to do our best. We aim to do this.”
Why are Milan so inconsistent?
“We certainly know that our season cannot make us satisfied because there were moments in which we played good games but we were not always able to have the continuity that was necessary.
“We talked among ourselves, we said things that remain between us, they are discussions that must remain in our dressing room, with the coach and with the staff. We must try to do the best we can for the season in the most fair way and for the fans.”
Did Theo apologise for his bad night?
“Yes, absolutely yes. Immediately after the match he apologised to the group. From my point of view he shouldn’t have done it, but I’ve known him for many years now: I know how much he cares about this shirt, about Milan, about the fans, about everything that is the Milan world.
“As a result he wasn’t happy, he was disappointed, he was down in spirits. He is our asset, he is our champion, we know he had a bad night, but as he has had in the past he will have many other positive nights that will make us win points and trophies.
“All our support is with Theo, on making him feel good, on making him understand that he made a mistake on an occasion that was important but there is nothing more to add. He has Milan in his heart and he will certainly show it.”
How did you manage to beat Inter twice and then have difficulties against objectively weaker teams, such as Dinamo Zagreb and Feyenoord?
“I think that many games that you consider easier have their difficulties, sometimes it also depends a lot on us. It is right that we also look in the mirror and take our responsibilities. Myself first of all for example in Zagreb.
“It is normal that many games are difficult, that the result cannot always be excellent. It is normal that in a season there are highs and lows, our goal is to do the best possible so that there are more highs than lows.”
When Conceiçao says there is an ‘environment to change’ what is he referring to? Also to dynamics within the dressing room?
“No, I don’t think so. He’s very honest with us about what we need to improve on, he told us when he arrived and he continues to tell us today. You have to ask him about the statements the coach makes, I know what the coach wants from us and we try to follow him at all times.”
Did you speak with Ibrahimovic after the defeat?
“Zlatan, like the club, is always by our side. Both when things are going well and when things are going badly, they are there and they talk to us, they make us understand their point of view. In this case, Zlatan spoke to us and obviously I can’t tell you what he told us.
“There are things that are right to remain between us. I just wanted to make you understand that the club’s support is always there, both in good times and bad.”
Gabbia is right that Theo’s apology was totally unnecessary because it’s nothing more than lip service.
Actions speak louder than words.
Theo’s actions:
Came into the season out of shape.
Responsible for both Parma goals because of laziness.
Organized, alongside his buddy Leao, a coup against the coach because he dared to bench them for being lazy vs Lazio.
Took a penalty from Pulisic vs Fiorentina and missed, then to top that off got a red card after the game for running his mouth and getting himself suspended vs Napoli.
Got the coach fired.
First gets unnecessary yellow that would have had him suspended for the 1st game of the UCL round of 16, but that wasn’t enough, 5 minutes later he gets another unnecessary yellow that got Milan knocked out of the UCL completely.
Tonali should call his bookie and put some coin on theo doing some other stupid thing that will cost Milan top 4 or get knocked out of Copa Italia.
Why are Milan so inconsistent?
Because the team is built around 2 players that in 25% of the games are the best players on the pitch, usually vs relegation teams, and in the other 75% of the games they are the worst players on the pitch from both teams.
You spend unecessary time of your life being angry at Milan and writing stuff like this. Chill out and go to bed. 😴 ZZZ
He is normally angry especially at Leao, lets delve into many of his lies: ‘Because the team is built around 2 players that in 25% of the games are the best players on the pitch, usually vs relegation team”
Against Real Madrid Leao was the best, against Inter guess who made the differ Against Spalletti’s Napoli Leao was the outstanding player. so Z stop the hate
and that’s the point. Their inconsistency. It’s not new. The question is, do you build a team around super talented players who show up only half the time? Or around good players who give their best every time?
We gotta be honest with ourselves. Leao has been as inconsistent as always but this season, when he is on, he is freaking on. Theo on the other hand, since the EUROS just looks like he is either tired or doesnt care anymore. I can count with one hand the number of games Theo has been the amazing player we know he can be.
maybe u should sleep off instead, because he @Z is right. this is not just about Being angry at Leao or anything this is saying things as they are: LEao and Theo are talented players one the former cant seem to make that mental leap to become a great player while the latter has attitude problems. and both characters are costing the team greatly. Any coach worth his salt would have them benched for extended periods.
It’s quite the season he has had.
@Z, you’re damn right. Milan never had a two consistent game. What happens after beating Madrid in Madrid? What happens after beating in inter at tha Super Copa in Saudi? Is all a step forward and two backwards. Milan is consistently inconsistent. They are bunch of average players without dedication and discipline. And on Theo and Leao, having potentials is not enough, live up to it is what matters.
Succinct
I wonder if his change room apology to the team was as weak and self serving as that instagram post to the fans was.
Why Gabbia didn’t get the captain armband? He feels a lot like a leader compare to Mike and Theo. Not to mention he’s Italian and played for Milan since the academy or much much longer than Mike and Theo.
Milan hates italians. Try to understand please. This is an American team now.
Captain’s hand band isn’t a puff ‘n’ pass. Mike has been made the captain, cut the dude some slack. Besides, Captaincy isn’t our problem here.
This shirt means a lot. Theo just want to win.
Not only making money with this director advisor and Redbird capitalist..
Redbird out
Gabbia is only 25 … but his maturity, words, thoughts really belie his age. What a young man. He would be a son who makes any parents proud!
Theo seems so depressed this season, both on the pitch and off it. He just seems miserable. Is he dealing with issues outside of the club? I know people have alluded to problems in his personal life but I haven’t read or heard anything myself.