Latest news with #Gabbia
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Italy in defensive injury crisis ahead of World Cup qualifiers after latest training blow
Italy and CT Luciano Spalletti have hit crisis mode in defence ahead of June's World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Moldova, as Milan centre-back Matteo Gabbia has now come down with a calf issue in training. According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, Gabbia was forced out of the Italy national team training session on Tuesday with a calf injury, which is likely to be a tendon issue according to the initial updates. Advertisement The severity of the issue, and whether Italy will need to call in a replacement, remains to be seen. Matteo Gabbia in action during a Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 08, 2024 in Florence. (Photo by) Gabbia adds to Italy's defensive injury crisis The Azzurri are already without regular first-team centre-backs Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal and Napoli's Alessandro Buongiorno through injury. Inter's Francesco Acerbi has recently refused a call-up to join the national team for June's World Cup qualifiers, while there are ongoing fitness concerns over Federico Gatti of Juventus and Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, both of whom trained separately on Tuesday. Riccardo Calafiori goes down with an injury during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan. (Photo by) Additionally, Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli, who is also able to cover in defence, also dropped out of the squad as a result of an injury issue on Monday. Advertisement That means that Inter's Alessandro Bastoni is the only capped central defender currently available in the Italy national team squad. The injury crisis at centre-back could be good news for Fiorentina captain Luca Ranieri, who was called into the squad to replace Buongiorno earlier this week, while the uncapped 21-year-old Diego Coppola could also be in line for an opportunity in his first camp.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gabbia: ‘Theo Hernandez didn't need to apologise' to Milan
Matteo Gabbia insists Theo Hernandez 'didn't even need' to apologise to his Milan teammates after the costly red card in the Champions League play-off. 'Theo has all our support.' The Rossoneri are still smarting after their unexpected Champions League play-off exit to Feyenoord, having lost the first leg 1-0 and then seen Theo Hernandez sent off during the decider. 'It was not easy, but we talked and realised the only way forward at this moment is to work and give our all,' Gabbia told at an event. 'There is a long season ahead, we're still in Serie A and the Coppa Italia, so we do have objectives and the moral duty to give our all for ourselves and the fans.' Theo Hernandez sent out a public apology after that foolish red card, but did he do it in private to the team too? 'Yes, straight after the game he apologised to the squad. In my view, he didn't even need to do it, but I know how much he cares about Milan, the fans and everything around this club,' explained Gabbia. 'He was really down. He is a champion, we know he had an off day, but also had so many positive days that allowed us to win games and trophies. 'Theo has all our support, letting him realise that he made a mistake, but there is nothing more to add. He has Milan in his heart and will certainly prove that in future.' Sergio Conceicao and special advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic both said that Milan need to find more consistency, so what is going wrong within this group? 'The coach is very honest with us on what we need to improve. Zlatan, and the club, have always been by our side in good and bad. Zlatan spoke and obviously I cannot tell you what he said in the locker room, because these situations should remain between us,' concluded Gabbia. 'I just want you to know the club always supports us, in positive and negative moments.' With the exit of Milan, Juventus and Atalanta from the Champions League play-offs, leaving only Inter, it is practically guaranteed that Serie A will lose its fifth slot in the tournament for next season. With that in mind, only the top four will qualify and it is going to be a tight battle including the Rossoneri to secure that spot.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
TIME MACHINE: DINAMO ZAGREB v AC MILAN
From 25 October to 29 January 2025: 1192 days on from our last visit, we're returning to the Maksimir Stadium to face Dinamo. As was also the case back then, a decisive match awaits: a victory on Wednesday would secure a spot in the top eight and qualification for the round of 16 of the Champions League. In 2022/23, a commanding victory in Zagreb got us back on track during the group stage after two consecutive defeats to Chelsea. The Diavolo completed the job with another 4-0 win - against Salzburg at San Siro – the following week, and would go on to progress to the semi-finals of Europe's elite competition that campaign. Ahead of the game on Wednesday evening, it's time to turn on our Time Machine and revisit that four-goal success against Dinamo Zagreb. As usual, Coach Pioli sent his side out in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Tătărușanu was between the sticks that evening, while the back four consisted of Theo, Gabbia, Kjær and Kalulu. Tonali and Bennacer lined up behind Rebić, De Ketelaere and Rafa, with Giroud in the lone striker role. The Rossoneri needed to win after two consecutive losses to Chelsea had left the table looking like this: Chelsea 7; Salzburg 6; AC Milan and Dinamo 4. Irrespective of the final result, the first half was a very even affair, with both sides having chances. In the 39th minute, Gabbia opened the scoring with a diving header from a Tonali free-kick, giving us a crucial lead. The Rossoneri built on their advantage after the restart: with 49 minutes on the clock, Leão advanced up the pitch before beating the goalkeeper with a right-footed near-post finish. The hosts failed to muster a response, and, ten minutes later, Giroud converted a penalty won by Tonali. The fourth arrived after more great work from Rafa, whose cross was diverted into his own net by the unlucky Ljubičić, who was trying to get to the ball before Rebić. There were no further goals as the Rossneri recorded a vital victory on their European journey that to the AC Milan WhatsApp channel!
