“I didn’t expect the call-up, even though I hoped for it. Being here is a special feeling, I’m very happy.” Speak like this to Vivo Azzurro TV the 24 year old AC Milan defender, Matteo Gabbiacommenting on his first call up to the senior national team: “Being here is a special feeling, I’m very happy. I’ll try to enjoy this week by giving my best and trying to understand what the coach wants. Wearing the national team shirt is a source of pride and a great responsibility, it is a shirt that must be honored at all times.”
For the traditional initiation rite into the national team he chose to sing ‘Sarà perche ti amo’ by Ricchi e Poveri: “Singing is not one of my best qualities. I chose this song because when Milan play they sing it in the stadium, it has rhythm and I like”. He shared his first time with the Azzurri with Di Gregorio, Pisilli and Daniel Maldini. And to think that Daniel’s father was one of his idols as a child: “I alternated between defense and midfield, I really liked Paolo Maldini and Daniele De Rossi”.
The only AC Milan player in the Azzurri group, he also convinced Spalletti for the personality he shows on the pitch (“He knows how to command the defensive department, he is very attentive and always keeps the line high”, Spalletti said yesterday in a conference): “The coach’s words make me they were pleased, they are a nice sign of respect and trust. I have been getting to know Spalletti these days, I had only met him once at Milanello when he came to watch training. He was very friendly, it was pleasant to talk to him: he made a great impression on me. I didn’t think about it at his debut, I hope he arrives in one of these two matches and that Italy can win.”