Gabbia and Costacurta disagree in post-Monza exchange: 'You shouldn’t say I’m not correct'

AC Milan defender Matteo Gabbia had a bit of a disagreement with Alessandro Costacurta and his assessment of last night’s 4-2 defeat to Monza during an interview live on Sky.

It was a rather forgettable night for Milan, who went into the break 2-0 down after a penalty from Pessina and a deflected strike from Mota, which was then made worse when Luka Jovic saw red early in the second half.

Somehow the subs dragged the Rossoneri back level with Olivier Giroud scoring after an instinctive finish before Christian Pulisic found the top corner with a rocket of a shot, but the scoring was not done there.

Daniel Maldini set up Bondo in added time for what proved to be the winner and then the on-loan Milan man Colombo added some gloss to the scoreline, marking the first time Monza have beaten the Diavolo in the league.

In Sky’s post-match segment, the host Fabio Caressa introduced the topic of defensive errors (four goals conceded), with Costacurta and Beppe Bergomi taking part in the discussion involving Gabbia. The exchange was relayed by Radio Rossonera.

Costacurta: “There is only one constant in Milan’s matches: that of conceding goals. There were quite particular individual errors. Let’s take the penalty. Thiaw, who is returning as a starter, makes three mistakes in three seconds.

“First header, then he fouls Djuric when there’s no need and then he fouls Mota. Milan’s central defenders have made a lot of mistakes this year. I think Gabbia knows it, it’s a bit of a constant.”

Caressa: “Matteo, is it a defense difficulty or do you find many attackers who easily arrive unopposed in midfield?”

Gabbia: “Good evening. I think that every time we concede a goal or more it is a team responsibility. Then there are individual errors in football and they affect the match and the result.

“Belittling a player in a situation that he made a mistake is not correct in my opinion. Football is a team game and in my opinion we could have worked better as a team tonight.”

Di Stefano: “An unexpected defeat?”

Gabbia: “There is definitely disappointment. Because we had prepared the match well and were determined to bring it home. These are obvious things but when a defeat comes it stings. We must try to put this defeat behind us and from tomorrow return to Milanello to work and focus on the future.”

Di Stefano: “Is six changes three days later too many?”

Gabbia: “It’s not for me to say. I have an exaggerated respect for the coach, I love him and respect him, as well as my teammates. Whoever played tonight was strong and it’s our responsibility if we didn’t bring home a victory on the pitch that we should have.”

Caressa: “We were in the studio appreciating your way of expressing yourself, except Billy…”

Costacurta: “Am I not correct because I say that someone made a mistake? You won’t be corrected, because you are his team-mate. But if I say that a player made a mistake in a goal, you don’t have to say… Fabio, let me finish please. In my opinion you shouldn’t say I’m not correct, I’m an analyst.”

Gabbia: “I would never allow myself to say that you are not right. I’m saying that in my opinion in that situation I think it’s an overstatement to say that Malick was wrong three times. I could have patched it up and it’s already a mistake by two players. Or do a different coverage. You can always fix mistakes.”

Bergomi: “We don’t want to belittle anyone, Matteo: we’re here to analyse. We praised your performances because you deserve it, but when we need to analyze we are here on purpose.”

Gabbia: “I absolutely didn’t want to go against what you said, God forbid. I respect you in an immense way.”