Matteo Gabbia has granted an interview to 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' from the Rossoneri’s training camp in Australia.
The conversation with Matteo Gabbia began with a look back at the past and that painful match against Cagliari:
“Now we have to be good at understanding that it is in the past and we can no longer change it. Therefore, we look to the future with desire and the determination to leave behind what happened.”
The future is Ruben Amorim, one of the recurring themes of the interview. The Rossoneri centre-back shared his first impressions:
"We have to make ourselves available because a new coach has his own ideas and it is right that we players do everything we can to help him. There are some changes and some requests are different compared to what we had become accustomed to, not only last season but also in previous years. In the end, however, we have to try to win matches because we are at a club that has the ambition to always give its maximum."
Gabbia then focused on one of the clearest characteristics of Amorim’s football:
"This habit of pressing high was not something we had, and it would be too simplistic to think: ‘The defenders have to stay 20 metres further forward.’ The work has to be done all together, as a team, both with and without the ball."
"The second star? Anyone who wears this shirt has the obligation to give their maximum, meaning approaching every match with the aim of winning it."
On the Europa League:
"The Europa League is absolutely not a hindrance, but an objective. Having one more competition to aim for is positive. At Milan you cannot choose, but you have to reach May in the best possible condition to try to win."
There was also a comment on Gerry Cardinale’s new approach:
"Cardinale is a very ambitious person and he also demands the maximum from us because, compared to recent seasons, he wants to raise the level.”
Gabbia returned the compliments paid to him by Mario Gila:
"He is an excellent guy and a great surprise because he arrived at Milanello in a very good way: he brings happiness and positivity inside the group. On top of that, he is a good footballer who we have faced many times in Serie A and whose qualities everyone knows. We are happy to have him with us."
Gabbia also commented on Rafael Leao’s situation:
"I care a lot about Rafa because we shared a long journey over many years, during which there were both joys and disappointments. I think he has given a lot to this team and everyone here cares about him. Then, it is right that everyone makes their own decisions: the people who remain at Milan must do so by putting the club and the team first. I am sure that Rafa, as long as he is here, will give his best for this group."
Finally, he had a few words about Luka Modric’s contract renewal:
"Luka is a special player and a special person. We are all happy that he stayed. I am sure he will help us have a great season. He is an incredible professional and has something magical that is difficult to explain. He has given me lessons that go beyond football: at 40 years old, he is still curious to learn and improve. He raises the level within the team and will help us a lot."
