AC Milan knew they had to fix their defence after disappointing recent seasons, and Massimiliano Allegri has chosen to trust Matteo Gabbia.
As MilanNews write, the change from a four-man defence to a three-man back line has actually aided Gabbia, given that he is the stand-out candidate to play in the middle. After a six-month loan spell at Villarreal in the second half of 2023, he returned to Italy and has never looked back.
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Gabbia has gone from a youth academy product treated almost like a mascot and used only in emergency situations, to a fully-fledged player with character and personality. The six months away from home and family have allowed him to take a leap forward, it seems.
An added leader
No one would dream of talking about Gabbia as if he were a phenomenon, but his normality and his consistency stand out in a department that has seen and been through a lot in recent years. Lately, even without the armband, he has often and willingly spoken as captain.
After Milan-Monza – the final match of last season that saw Milan finish eighth in the league – Gabbia didn’t mince his words, stating: “Here at Milan we never lack anything. We have to take our responsibilities, focus on the pitch and do much better than this year.
“I think it’s right that those who really want to stay stay here. I haven’t seen anyone who wants to leave, but it’s important that those who stay here give their all and have nothing else on their mind but Milan, and focus on doing the best they can on the pitch and at Milanello every week.”
Gabbia is one of those players who embodies ‘Milanismo’, the sense of belonging which many think has been missing. The last-minute winner in the derby last September was the icing on the cake after a recent rise, which included a contract extension until 2029 in November.
Matteo now anchors the defence in the middle. He talks a lot with his teammates and together with Maignan, he confidently leads the defensive line, adjusting its height and calling his team-mates into the right positions. At the moment, he’s ‘untouchable’ for Allegri, which shows his maturation.
Yeah duh, considering we have no depth at that position
What???? Gabbia is the reason Tare and Ibra were sent into panic mode after the Crem match. Gabbia is not a strong CB and his lack of dominance and inability to command the penalty area is there for all to see. He is actually what they were trying to fix!
Gabbia needs a back 4, he is not capable of commanding the center of the defense in a 3. That is clear for all to see. For goodness sake, Gattuso just gave him the vote of no confidence as well didn’t he!?!?
Every observer is commenting on how Milan did not fix the CB position in the window and you publish this?
Pavlović is the weak link and Cremonese match showed it once more. I’d feel more confident with Bartesaghi there at LCB than him.
Gabbia was the most consistent defender last season. However, this season he seems to be a little out of it. I was surprised he was benched (played but little) in the pre-season, but then I saw him play and got it. Hopefully he gets in better form, but right now he is untouchable because we play with 3 CBs. In a 4- formation Allegri will keep Pavlovic and Tomori, unless Tomori is moved to RB.
That being said he has some leadership traits and maturity despite his age and will probably be next in line for captaincy when Maignan leaves for free and Rafa leaves for Barca.
I don’t think Tomori and Pavlovic would be the starters in a 4-formation. They’re the same profile, fast and physical but low defensive IQ. Kjaer – Tomori was working because Kjaer was smart as a defender and Tomori is athletic and doesn’t make much mistakes. If you have Tomori and Pavlovic together, it’s a recipe for catastrophe.
Low defensive IQ? Ridiculous. Not sure what games you are watching.
The games with Tomori and Pavlovic I guess. I played centre back myself back in the days and I used to watch and study Nesta, Maldini, Billy or Kaladze a lot.
Pavlovic is another freak with great speed and physical attributes but low football IQ, the football player prototype according to Moncada’s standards. Pavlovic, Musah, Chukwueze, Okafor, Emerson Royal, Loftus-Cheek, etc. Great athletes, poor football players. Théo was that as well but benefitted from the advices of the greatest defender of all-time.
Sorry dude you lost me at RLC. I’m not sure how credible you are now. You watching the same players?
Are you seriously arguing that they have high def IQ? These guys have no clue what to do in most matches, Parma comes to mind last year, yes Theo was the worst but Parma attack made them all look like amateurs and it didn’t stop, hence we didn’t even make europa league. Are you even watching games? Do you even know what position Milan finished last season with this high IQ def?
Of the 3 I like him the most, but let’s see – I have me doubts. IMO Tomori is Allegri’s first choice. Anyway the article suggests he is a guaranteed starter, which he is not.
To me,Gabbian is short one!
Untouchable my butt.
Him and Pavlovic are the two positions that are in need of upgrading next.
First it’s an absolute myth that Gabbia’s loan was in any way useful.
He joined Villarreal on 26 July 2023 and was back at Milan on 3 January 2024 after playing just 7 league starts under 2 different managers. He was brought back to Milan because of injury crisis that forced Milan to give him a chance.
I know he’s said he benefitted from the loan but he’s the sort of guy who puts positive spins on things.
Second Gabbia’s entire career (along with the careers of most Milan players) has largely been an accident.
He has managed to stay IN SPITE of the club’s best efforts to replace him.
It was the same for Calabria who fought off numerous RBs before finally succumbing to the mighty Emerson Royal.
But this happy accident has landed Milan with a player who can become central to any rebuild. He really should be made captain, and the club should plan AROUND HIM (not THROUGH HIM) for the next few years.
They won’t of course. We can expect 6 new CBs signed in the new 2 years and eventually they’ll get him.
Amen!
Wow everyone is completely ignoring Tare’s post Cremonese reaction, Gattuso’s recent no confidence vote and Milan’s clear plan to buy a new CB, and his complete lack of leadership.
Remember this is the guy that was at the heart of the 9th worst defense in Serie A last season. All of pre-season our back 3 were Tomori-Thiaw-Pavlovic. Allegri had him as 4th out of 4 CBs. Thankfully Milan aren’t in the CL.
‘His complete lack of leadership’???
What is this mythical leadership you’re seeking?
Milan has a terrible defence since they forced out Krunic and had a massive gaping hole in the middle.
Then to really put the boot in they forced out Calabria thus collapsing the full backs (and now Milan have no qualified full backs (and the new signings don’t count based on performances to date).
But remind me, why are you here?
How do you find yourself commenting under an article about an Italian football club when you seem to dislike Italians?
Surely pick a nationality you actually admire and then pretend to support a team from that country?
Dude Calabria wasn’t forced out. He became a liability. What is the club expected to do, keep and underperforming players because the fans like him? Did Bologna push to sign him? He got a no thank you from them.
Mythical leadership, nope, just good old fashioned leadership; Baresi Nesta Maldini Stam, Cannavaro Zanetti, VanDijk, J. Terry, Bonucci Chiellini….You know, THAT kind of leadership. Gabbia does not have it. And it is a big problem at the back.
Still not good enough
If Gabbia is untouchable it shows just how badly Milan’s management have failed to bring in a proper commanding cb. I like him as a person but he is an avg player honestly, he needs someone leading like all our other cbs, group of headless chickens
Kyle I could not have said it better myself.
This comment section is like a cesspool of Career Mode playing imbeciles…
Seemingly with no connection to Milan or even Italy but for some reason find themselves speculating on the transfer activities of the 8th placed team in Serie A last season….
This article is reaching. Gabbia will soon be replaced by Koni de Winter in the middle of the 3 man defense. It’s only a matter of time. LOL
Honestly I think a lot of people just digest football through TikTok these days.
Is Gabbia Nesta? No
Is he our best centre back? By an absolute country mile.
Yes, he has looked a little out of sorts so far in the three – that’s fine, it’s completely different to playing in a two; it’s like asking a winger to play CAM. He’s composed and intelligent, so he’ll figure it out. His stability gives Tomori the confidence to wonder off and trust his own pace. On the other side I’d rotate De Winter and Bartesaghi. Pavlovic should be the cover – he is very hard to watch.
People don’t understand that playing In a 2 CB setup is drastically different to a 3 setup. The movements, actions and intuitions are completely different but hey it’s a forum and people can type
DAMN, THERE ARE SO MANY COMMENTS FROM GABBIA HATERS, GABBIA WAS THE ONLY ONE FROM MILAN IN THE TOP 10 SERIEA BEST DEFENDERS LAST SEASON! LOL!
I think it’s pretty obvious that Gabbia is starting because he is the most stable out of a bad bunch, and not because he’s some next level CB. On a good team he is a rotation player at best. But since his partners at the back are Tomori and Pavlo, having a calm back there helps. He’s good positionally, but lack the recovery speed that Tomori has. Hopefully within a well drilled transitional defensive system he will be effective.