Spalletti urged to give Gabbia an opportunity after Inter-Milan derby performance | OneFootball

After an impressive, goalscoring display in Milan’s 2-1 victory over rivals Inter on Sunday evening, Matteo Gabbia has been recommended as a potential option for Luciano Spalletti ahead of the next round of international fixtures in October.

Gabbia was given an average rating of 7.5 by the Italian press after Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina, and capped a fine display with the winning goal in the 89th minute.

It was only the 24-year-old’s second Serie A appearance of the season, having also started in the 4-0 victory just after the recent international break.

Spalletti urged to give Gabbia call-up

Though he only has 186 minutes of competitive action under his belt so far this campaign, La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that he should be considered for an Italy call-up for fixtures against Belgium and Israel on October 10 and 14.

Spalletti needs a decent selection of centre-backs, as he has confirmed that he will deploy a back three as his go-to system moving forwards.

Last time out, the CT selected five central defenders, namely Riccardo Calafiori, Alessandro Bastoni, Alessandro Buongiorno, Federico Gatti and Caleb Okoli of Leicester City.

Though the first four names on that list are likely to be included in the next squad, and most of the squads moving forwards this season, Okoli’s selection is far from guaranteed.

There are several centre-backs pushing for a place in the national team squad, though. Other alternatives to Gabbia include Inter’s Francesco Acerbi and Roma’s Gianluca Mancini.