All the defense works better when directed by him: this Italian international essential for Milans defense.

As reported by Corriere dello Sport, Matteo Gabbia is not a player who seeks the spotlight with extravagant looks or flashy muscles, nor does he impose his leadership with outbursts or a flashy attitude. Yet, his absence is clearly felt.

A quick look at the simplest statistics is enough: Milan has lost six matches in all competitions this season – four in the league, one in the Italian Cup, and one in the Italian Super Cup. The Italian central defender was not on the field for each of these matches, except for the first one against Cremonese on the opening day of Serie A, a defeat that set the tone for the rest of the season. Simply put, no Gabbia, no win. Defeats against Lazio in the Italian Cup, Napoli in the Super Cup semi-final, losses in the league against Parma and Napoli with a defense consisting of Tomori, De Winter, and Pavlovic, followed by another defeat against Udinese when Allegri tried a back four with the Belgian and the Serbian in the center.

It’s not a coincidence. And it’s not just about the results. The numbers of expected goals conceded are quite similar (1.18 xGA per match with Gabbia, 0.97 without him, even though the Italian has played three times more matches), but the feeling on the field is clear: the whole defense works better when led by number 46. De Winter has improved, but he does not have the authority or experience of the player from Busto Arsizio.

In Verona, Gabbia should make his comeback, probably as a starter in the center of a back three, after the failed experiment with a back four against Udinese. If Milan’s season started to falter after the match against Parma on February 25, there may be an explanation: the injury of number 46 during warm-up. Since then, the record has been heavy, with four defeats in the last seven matches. The numbers speak for themselves.

Gabbia is one of the leaders in the dressing room, without grand speeches or showy effects. He knows when to choose his moments. After the 0-3 defeat against Udinese, no player spoke on social media except him. Just a simple Instagram story, with the message “All together” accompanied by a crossed fingers emoji. The message is clear: it’s time to fight, together and united. And with Gabbia in defense, Milan does it much better.