After several seasons where he saw little playing time, last summer Matteo Gabbia decided to go on loan to Villarreal to have the opportunity to play regularly. He managed to feature in several matches with his new team. However, Milan had to recall him fromh is loan as Pioli's team had been dealing with a defensive injury crisis. Since his return to the club, the 24-year-old player has become a very important part of the squad.
As reported this morning by La Gazzetta dello Sport, before going on loan to Villarreal, Gabbia had Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu, and Simon Kjaer ahead of him, but today he is the true irreplaceable player in Milan's defence: the other centre-back changes (Kjaer or Thiaw in recent weeks), but Matteo always remains in his place (he will also start tomorrow against Lazio in Rome).
Now, however, the injury crisis has ended: Kalulu returned to the bench against Atalanta, while Tomori should return to Stefano Pioli's squad for tomorrow's away game against Lazio.
But snatching playing time from this Gabbia will not be easy at all this time. He is now a better player with more confidence which is displayed in his way of being on the pitch. Pioli is rightfullly trusting him, and stealing his spot will be really difficult for all the other central defenders at Milan.
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