As reported by Corriere dello Sport, Matteo Gabbia is not one of those players who attract the spotlight with extravagant looks or ostentatious muscles, nor those who impose their leadership through outbursts or exuberant attitudes. However, his absence is clearly felt.
A first look at the simplest statistics is enough: Milan lost six matches in all competitions this season – four in the league, one in the Italian Cup, and one in the Italian Super Cup. The Italian central defender was not on the field in any of these matches, except for the first one against Cremonese in the first Serie A match, which was a particular defeat considering the rest of the season. It’s simple: no Gabbia, no victory. Defeat against Lazio in the Italian Cup, against Napoli in the Super Cup semi-final, losses in the league against Parma and Napoli with a defense composed of Tomori, De Winter, and Pavlovic, followed by another loss against Udinese, where Allegri tried a back four with the Belgian and the Serbian in the center.
This is not by chance. And it’s not just about the results. The numbers of conceded opportunities are quite similar (1.18 xGA per match with Gabbia, 0.97 without him, even though the Italian has played three times more matches), but the feeling on the field is clear: the entire defense works better when led by number 46. De Winter has improved, but he doesn’t have the authority or experience of the player from Busto Arsizio.
In Verona, Gabbia is expected to return, likely as a starter in the center of a back three, after the failed attempt of a back four system against Udinese. If Milan’s season started to waver after the match against Parma on February 25, there may be an explanation: the injury of number 46 in the warm-up. Since then, the record is heavy, with four defeats in the last seven matches. The numbers speak for themselves.
Gabbia is one of the leaders in the locker room, without grand speeches or flashy effects. He knows when to choose his moments. After the 0-3 defeat against Udinese, no player spoke on social media, except him. A simple Instagram story, with the message “Tous ensemble” accompanied by a crossed fingers emoji. The message is clear: it’s time to fight, together and united. And with Gabbia in defense, Milan does it much better.
