There were some eyebrows raised when the winter transfer window shut and a centre-back had not arrived, yet Matteo Gabbia continues to repay the faith of the management.
Calciomercato.com writes how the win over Napoli was one of a group that is growing game after game. It is a solid and cohesive Milan that finally beat that opponent at home in the league for the first time since 2014.
Theo Hernandez’s winning goal, set up by his wingmate Leao, was a flash of light in a match lacking in technical quality but one that was intense and hard fought. Now, Milan have gone two months without defeats in Serie A, winning seven out of nine.
Gabbia meanwhile seems to have returned to Milan with a different awareness of his abilities. Against Frosinone he scored the goal that got Milan back in the game; yesterday evening he canceled out first Simeone and then Raspadori, saving a near certain goal with an excellent tackle.
It seems the six-month experience at Villarreal made him mature both from a mental and tactical point of view. Stefano Pioli has a decision to make when Malick Thiaw is back, because Gabbia is showing himself to be starter-level.
Geoffrey Moncada spoke about Gabbia’s return back on January 2, stating: “We needed a good defender, he’s very important for us. He’s a solid player, a serious worker.”
All things considered, the Milan academy graduate is repaying the decision to back him. Milan tried to sign another defender in January but didn’t find the right opportunity, and the trust in Gabbia backs this up.
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