Massimiliano Allegri, the head coach of Milan, openly acknowledged his initial unfamiliarity with Matteo Gabbia before he took the reins at the club. Allegri emphasized the challenge of evaluating a player without directly coaching them.
Gabbia has recently earned a spot in the Italy national team squad for upcoming matches against Estonia and Israel. This isn`t his first call-up; the Italian defender was previously included in the Azzurri squad in October 2024, although he did not make an appearance at that time.
During a press conference on Saturday, Allegri stated, “I didn`t know him before. I`ve learned that until you coach a player, it`s hard to judge from the outside.” He went on to praise Gabbia, saying, “I`ve found a guy with room to grow, a responsible player with great qualities. If a player gets called up to the national team, we are happy.”
Under Allegri`s management, Gabbia has established himself as a regular starter for Milan, featuring in six matches across all competitions, showcasing his development and integral role within the team.
