Matteo Gabbia is held in high regard by AC Milan fans for a few reasons. The biggest, though, has to be his last-minute winner against Inter.
There is something beautiful about the story of Gabbia. From a background option to a derby winner, to a needed body in an injury crisis, to a potential captain. For those that love stories in football, his is as good as they get.
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Gabbia’s extended run
In January 2024, the Italian returned from a loan spell at Villarreal, with Milan struggling desperately. Then, he quickly worked his way into a starting role, which he kept under Paulo Fonseca, Sergio Conceicao and now Massimiliano Allegri, as Corriere dello Sport (via MilanPress) writes.
Even beyond that, he is now seen as one of Italy’s best central defenders by Gennaro Gattuso, and his place with the Azzurri looks solid.
This weekend, he will be keen to make another impact against his boyhood club’s biggest rivals. He dreams, once again, to be a protagonist, perhaps with another goal, or just with another solid performance.
What is clear, though, is that many inside the dressing room see him as a leader, and if he demands everything of himself to win, they will follow.
If Gattuso likes him so much, then he should consider, you know, playing him. Gabbia is so steady and so strong in the center, he gives Tomori and Pavlovic the confidence to go all out on scoring runs. I’m biased but I think he’s the best Italian center defender.