Matteo Gabbia, the AC Milan central defender who is working to recover after early March surgery for an inguinal hernia, gave an exclusive interview to Sky Sport. The defender touched on several topics, from his condition to the title race.
How are you? How is your recovery going?
“I’m definitely a little better. It’s been a busy period: some things have improved, but I’ve also felt new pains. We’re working hard and doing everything possible: the goal is to return as soon as possible, but above all in the best condition for me and for the team.”
How disappointed were you to miss the national team, and what did Gattuso say to you? Gabbia answered:
“I was very disappointed not to be with the team at this moment. I spoke with the head coach and it really pleased me: he told me important things. I truly hope the national team can qualify for the World Cup; it’s a goal for the whole movement. We are a strong team, full of good players, so I send my best wishes to the coach, the staff, and my teammates, hoping they can achieve something great.”
What does Milan have more than Inter, given that you’ve won two derbies?
“It’s hard to say, I don’t know what we have more or less. Inter are a great team. Derbies are special matches and we did well to win them, but the season isn’t over. Depending on where we finish, we’ll see our strengths and weaknesses. There’s no point in looking back: we need to focus on improving and winning the next matches.”
Are you worried about Napoli’s current form? Could it be a three-way title race?
“Napoli are a very strong team, they’ve shown it. But we have to think only about ourselves, with the desire to approach every match to win it. Then at the end of the year we’ll take stock. The most important thing is always to do the best we can.”
What has impressed you about coach Allegri? Gabbia said:
“We’re lucky to have a coach and a staff with great experience and charisma. He has improved all of us. His management of the group is outstanding, and from a technical-tactical point of view he gives us new instructions that I personally wasn’t used to. I was also very impressed by how he manages training sessions and match situations: often he tells us things before games that actually happen on the pitch. That shows his level. Credit for our journey goes to the whole staff and also to us players.”
Do you still believe in a comeback for the title?
“We have to stay calm. There are eight matches left and we just need to focus on doing our maximum, working with dedication and ambition. Then at the end of the season we’ll see what we’ve achieved and where we’ve finished. Whatever comes will be what we’ve deserved, and we definitely won’t have regrets. The important thing is to keep giving our best, as we’ve always done.”
This year Milan has a solid defense but the attack struggles to be prolific: how do you explain it?
“I think the coach has all the qualities to choose the best system to get the most out of us. There’s a lot of talk about changes, but often without knowing the work we do at Milanello. We have total trust in the staff and we work on multiple solutions, because it’s important to have alternatives. Then whatever the coach chooses, we follow it 100%. We’re always open to improvement, if it can help us do better.”
Between Leão and Pulisic everything is resolved: is that also thanks to the atmosphere in the dressing room?
“In reality nothing serious happened between Leão and Pulisic. They’re two guys who always try to give their best for the team. We’re a united group and we show it every day at Milanello. These are things that came out that don’t reflect reality: here we’re all on the same side and working toward the same goal," commented Gabbia.
