{"id":582700,"date":"2021-02-05T02:55:30","date_gmt":"2021-02-05T07:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=582700"},"modified":"2021-02-05T02:55:30","modified_gmt":"2021-02-05T07:55:30","slug":"matteo-gabbia-nearing-ac-milan-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/02\/05\/matteo-gabbia-nearing-ac-milan-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Matteo Gabbia Nearing AC Milan Return"},"content":{"rendered":"

AC Milan<\/a> have struggled with plenty of injuries this season. As a matter of fact, the\u00a0Rossoneri\u00a0<\/em>have only had their strongest starting line-up in 12 of the 20 Serie A matches they’ve played this season. One player who has been out for a while is Matteo Gabbia<\/a>. From contracting COVID-19 to facing muscular issues, Gabbia has struggled for game time the last couple of months.<\/p>\n

Matteo Gabbia Nearing Return for AC Milan<\/h2>\n

Importance to Start the Season<\/h3>\n

As Milan embarked on this very successful season (to this point), star defender and captain Alessio Romagnoli<\/a> was absent. As was Mateo Musacchio<\/a>, who has now moved onto Lazio. This meant that the inexperienced Gabbia was thrust into a starting role alongside veteran Simon Kjaer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As this news came out, many expected another letdown from the defence at Milan. Instead, Gabbia performed admirably. He didn’t place endless ten out of ten performances, but he consistently got the job done.<\/p>\n

He is still only 21-years-old. Also, he is a graduate of Milan’s Primavera\u00a0<\/em>academy. This instantly makes him a fan-favourite, and one who has shown true potential to remain on the squad.<\/p>\n

What the Season Holds for Gabbia<\/h3>\n

Kjaer is currently struggling with a short-term injury, but Romagnoli has been healthy. Milan have an open spot alongside the captain, but Chelsea<\/a> loanee Fikayo Tomori<\/a> has already made a strong case to claim it for the time being.<\/p>\n

Tomori will start alongside Romagnoli against Crotone on Sunday, and if plays well again, the third-option centre-back position is likely his. With that being said, Gabbia can be crucial in the Europa League. When fit, Romagnoli and Kjaer will be Milan’s first-choice duo in Serie A and major matches. In the Europa League, however, fans can expect seeing plenty of Gabbia alongside Tomori.<\/p>\n

Gabbia is aiming to return against Spezia on February 13 or in the Europa League fixture versus Red Star Belgrade on February 18.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>