In Gabbia we trust [Newsletter]

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Nov 21, 2024

The final international break of the year has come to an end and AC Milan are now preparing to take on Juventus at the weekend. Having been incredibly inconsistent so far this season, many would agree that the game is a must-win at least if they want to challenge for the Scudetto. Fortunately, Paulo Fonseca has been given a pretty big boost.

Milan’s inconsistency is largely down to the issues at the back, with 20 goals conceded in 15 games, and this is incredibly frustrating as the managerial change in the summer was meant to solve last season’s shortcomings. If anything, the defensive solidity has worsened and that is a huge failure for Fonseca, who now must turn things around - starting with the game against Juventus.

As mentioned, the Portuguese manager has at least been given a significant boost as Matteo Gabbia has returned to training, after having missed the last four games with a muscular injury. The 25-year-old, raised in the Rossoneri’s academy, has been the most consistent defender since his return in January this year. You could argue that the bar has been low, but he has been incredibly impressive.

Taking a look at Gabbia’s six games played from start this season, Milan conceded a total of four goals and while that isn’t brilliant by any means, we are also talking about four wins and two defeats. Even if we disregard the stats altogether, it’s clear that the Rossoneri have looked much better with him on the pitch and the hope is that he can be decisive against Juventus as well.

The Bianconeri, in sixth place mind you, are currently six points ahead of Milan and that says a lot about the situation we find ourselves in. Three of the last six games in this fixture have ended draws and the rest of the games - two wins for Milan and one for Juve - have all been low-scoring affairs. So, with two new managers in charge, will we see a goal fest at San Siro on Saturday? Probably and hopefully not.

Even if Fonseca’s men were to win a goal fest, it wouldn’t be signs of improvement for the Rossoneri as the fans want to see solid defending more than anything else. Indeed, a 1-0 win would certainly send a stronger signal than a 3-2 win, though we should reiterate that getting the win is the only thing we can demand for now.

On another note, it was really nice to see that none of the international call-ups returned to Milanello with an injury. Christian Pulisic scored and assisted, Rafael Leao bagged a great goal and Mike Maignan came up big for France yet again. This is something Oliver discussed in great detail in the audio bulletin, a new format we are testing here on Substack as an addition to the newsletter.

News Bulletin

➤ Milan Futuro have had an international break too, but they play twice in four days: on Thursday against Pescara and on Sunday against Sestri Levante. Elsewhere, the €1.6m work on the Futuro's new home the Stadio Felice Chinetti has been completed.

➤ The AC Milan Women had a tough result on Sunday as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Como to begin the return round of fixtures. It is the same scoreline as in the first game between the sides in round one, as Suzanne Bakker’s side saw their attack blunted.

➤ Milan are 'obliged to win' their game against Juventus on Saturday night in order to re-enter the Scudetto discussion. That is according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, who detailed the latest tactical tweak that Paulo Fonseca is planning to try and get the better of Thiago Motta.

➤ The big news regarding transfers has been about Samuele Ricci. Gianluca Di Marzio stated that the Milan management have set their sights on the midfielder and that they are working to land him ahead of the summer. La Stampa suggested that Luka Jovic could even become part of the operation.

➤ A Sky journalist gave some rather worrying insight on Theo Hernandez's current mindset, claiming he is 'nostalgic' about the 'old Milan'. On a more positive note, Tijjani Reijnders declared that he sees himself staying at the club into his 30s, and Rafael Leao also spoke of his happiness with the Rossoneri.

➤ Our long reads this week include: a look at Fonseca’s treatment of Leao and the turning point that awaits him, three critical issues that Fonseca must fix and why a fight for the top four is not enough in Milan’s long-term planning.

➤ Not only that, but we wrote about why Ibrahimovic’s jokes are an antithesis to the clarity Milan needed, and rounded up all the action involving our players from the international break including goals, red cards and Trump dances.