AC Milan defender Matteo Gabbia has said that he is happy with the goal he scored in the win over Frosinone and he dedicated it to his family and his girlfriend.
Speaking after the match to Milan TV (via MilanNews), Gabbia expressed his glee at having helped the team get a 3-2 victory that maintains the positive momentum in Serie A as the club seeks a place in the Champions League.
Gabbia’s goal was Milan’s second of the game and it came at a time when they were 2-1 down and really struggling to impose themselves on the opposition.
It was his first Serie A goal and came as he turned in Olivier Giroud’s header back across goal after Yacine Adli had played a cross in.
Asked about the victory as a whole, Gabbia said: “Winning like this is always nice, because it shows that we are united and it was not easy to do it today in such a hostile stadium, but we are happy and we want to continue on this path.”
He was then asked about how it felt to score in Serie A, to which he said: “I’m happy with the goal, I dedicate it to my family and my girlfriend, they have always supported me in every moment, even in the bad ones. I’m proud of this team.”
It certainly was not a perfect performance from Milan and the points could easily have ended up with Frosinone given how poorly Milan started the second half.
“We’ll see what to improve to make as few mistakes as possible, we’ll work during the week as we always do and we’ll understand how to change certain things perhaps, but today we’ll enjoy these 3 points,” Gabbia explained.
Next up for Milan is a tough match against Napoli, one that will likely prove tougher from a defensive standpoint than this one.
“We know that they are strong despite the ranking, we will be ready to give everything on the pitch as we always do,” he said.
Gabbia also spoke to Sky Sport (via MilanNews) after the match, where he talked about what it is like to be back at the club after his Villarreal loan ended.
“I’m happy with what I’m doing, because I’m fond of everyone. I’m back here and I’m trying to do the best I can,” he said.
Is it better to win in this manner?
“If we can win in an easier way it would be better, but that’s fine anyway… One week we were caught up in the end, today must teach us that we must always keep our concentration levels high.”
Will you watch Inter-Juve?
“I don’t think I’ll watch Inter-Juve otherwise my girlfriend will kill me since we have two days off. I prefer to rest because I think about football every day… We have to try to win all the games, then we’ll see.”
What happened when you returned?
“Nothing in particular happened: I worked as always. I had played well before, but then there are various situations and the performances of the players are often influenced by the results. I am calm, I work, I always try to be a better player.”
Did you dream of your first goal in Serie A?
“I had dreamed of it, but I wasn’t that interested in how it would happen. I’m very happy.”
Do Milan concede too many goals?
“Nine goals in five games are a lot for us and for Milan, it bothers us. We talked about it during the week, also to understand some of our feelings. We have a week now, we need to use it to fine-tune some things.”
How did you find Leao?
“I found him changed as a professional. Now he is more impressive, he takes better care of his body, he is much more attentive to situations that before perhaps he was more ignorant of. Now he is 100% on Milan, he runs behind, he is phenomenal”.
He’s been almost a new complete player since returning. Really like seeing him flourish, and fulls the homegrown quota at the same time. Needs to keep his spot unless someone truly proves otherwise, would like to see him and tomori/Thiaw play together
Gabbia has been so solid since his return and he’s a true warrior who bleeds red and black. I’m happy for him
I think Gabbia deserves the starting slot for the rest of this season. Pair him with Tomori and the defense line will be more solid.