Matteo Gabbia took the limelight yesterday eveningwhen his header in the 89th minute decided the derby against Inter in favor of Milan. For the occasion, the specialized portal MilanNews.it interviewed Giancarlo Favarin, coach with whom Gabbia played his first season as a professional, with Lucchese: “In Serie C it’s easy to launch players like Matteo. He was a young player, we’re talking about 2018 and he came from the Milan Primavera. Despite his young age he had the hallmarks of a real player, even in terms of personality. Of course, he was a kid and like all kids, mistakes were inevitable. But he grew from game to game, contributing to an unexpected salvation despite the 23 penalty points they gave us that season”.
And to think that last year with the loan to Villarreal it seemed that Milan had made another choice…
“Seeing all the defenders that Milan have bought in the meantime, it didn’t seem like there was such a gap. In hindsight, the loan to Villarreal helped him grow exponentially, he became stronger. And games like the derby give you awareness. Now he is mature and deserves more recognition, for example being taken into consideration by Spalletti for the national team. Also because I have seen players taken into consideration who are no better than him”.
Do you think this goal could change the Milan hierarchy?
“Seeing his performances I have no doubts that he should be the starter. The others should alternate until they find Milan-like condition, but as far as I’m concerned Matteo should be a regular starter. Then, of course, we play every three days and there’s room for everyone. But I say that Matteo should carve out a lot of space for himself. And as an ideal partner I would choose Tomori, he integrates better than Pavlovic”.
Gabbia is one of the few who were sent to learn the ropes in Serie C and has actually returned to the parent company, to stay.
“When Milan sent him on loan with the idea of making him mature, they had in mind to send him to Serie B. His desire to play in Lucca was decisive. At the cost of going down to Serie C but aware that he would play consistently. It’s not for everyone, but in the end it turned out to be a great choice because he played an entire championship. Decisions like that show how balanced the boy is”.
What anecdote do you have about the Gabbia di Lucca?
“What struck me was that in Lucca in every game he played there was a collaborator of his who scouted the game and told him what he had done wrong and where to improve. Then he asked a lot, a humble boy. And mentally ready, superior to the category he was in”.
The most obvious change you’ve noticed?
“Physicality. Remembering him at the time of Lucca I have to say that he has become bigger. Normal, also because of the preparation that in Serie A is different from that in Serie C. And then the personality in playing from the back, he has matured a lot. He does the right things, he doesn’t create problems”.
Was this escalation expected?
“Look, I also coached Guglielmo Vicario and looking at these guys you realise that they have something more in terms of professionalism, mentality, commitment. I knew he would go far, but it’s clear that it’s difficult to predict where, Milan or Sassuolo. But I certainly saw him in Serie A”.