GdS: Gabbia trains at Milanello – he could immediately start vs. Empoli

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·4 January 2024

GdS: Gabbia trains at Milanello – he could immediately start vs. Empoli

Matteo Gabbia landed back in Italy on Tuesday night and his return to AC Milan was made official yesterday, and a report claims he could be thrown into the fray immediately.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), Gabbia’s second ‘debut’ for Milan is expected as early as the weekend. He returned from Spain on Tuesday, yesterday he trained at Milanello and today he will be able to do so for the first time with the rest of his team-mates.

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That means he is very much available for Sunday’s trip to face Empoli, and the group of central defenders is still small given the injury crisis, so much so that Theo Hernandez could play in the middle again.

However, Gabbia starting is the solution that would allow Theo to move wide on the left and would also give Stefano Pioli a natural centre-back to partner with Simon Kjaer, which is a solution he might well favour. The coming days will give more clues.

Gabbia’s last appearance for the Rossoneri was nine minutes against Bologna away from home on 15 April. Having come through the youth sector as a boyhood an of the club, he has amassed 51 appearances and one goal for the senior side.

His loan season at Villarreal had encouraging numbers: seven appearances out of 19 in LaLiga, including six as a starter, while he was always present in Europa League group matches with six out of six played and five from the start.

The Diavolo brought him back from Spain as soon as they could and Pioli may give him an instant opportunity. Gabbia was at work at the training ground yesterday; it was a rest day for the squad, but some other squad members were also present.