Gabbia Injury Blow Compounds Milan's Set-Piece Woes

Amorim 'Sad' for Gabbia as Milan Lose Defender

Matteo Gabbia is the latest concern for AC Milan, with head coach Ruben Amorim admitting he is “sad” for the defender after an injury sustained during the Rossoneri's trip to the Mapei Stadium. The Italian centre-back's setback adds to a growing list of squad availability questions for Milan, who were already navigating the international break with fitness doubts hanging over their defensive department.

Amorim, speaking to DAZN Italia after the match, was candid about his feelings for the player, describing himself as “sad for Gabbia's injury.” The Milan boss did not offer a firm return date, and the club has yet to confirm the severity of the problem, leaving supporters waiting on further assessment. What is clear is that Milan will have to plan for the coming fixtures without knowing exactly when their defender will be available again.

The timing could hardly be worse. Milan had gone into the international break believing they had finally found their identity, following an impressive 3-0 victory over Lecce. That result had allowed Amorim to retain a four-man defence at the Mapei Stadium, a shape he had clearly grown to trust. Losing a defender to injury so soon after that encouraging performance forces the coaching staff back to the drawing board, at least in terms of personnel.

Set-Piece Vulnerability Exposed Again

Gabbia's absence was felt most acutely in the manner of Sassuolo's equaliser. After Adrien Rabiot had surprised goalkeeper Arijanet Muric with a ferocious strike into the near top corner, Milan's lead was wiped out when Cas Odenthal prodded home from a corner. It was a goal that confirmed Milan's ongoing problems defending from set plays — an issue that has now cost them points.

Amorim did not hide his frustration. “We deserved to take the lead, but then after the goal we didn't control the game, and we need to control the game with the ball, we cannot drop or try to defend,” he told DAZN Italia. “We continued to push, because the momentum was with us, but not in the right way. When we had the ball, we lost it really fast. That can happen, but what cannot happen is to concede that goal on the corner.”

The concession from a corner is precisely the kind of lapse that a settled, fully fit defensive unit is supposed to prevent. With Gabbia now a doubt, Milan's ability to organise at dead balls becomes an even more pressing concern. The Rossoneri's coaching staff will need to find solutions quickly, whether through personnel changes or a renewed emphasis on marking assignments.

Modric Introduction and Tactical Adjustments

Amorim also used the match to experiment tactically, introducing Luka Modric at half-time and pushing Rabiot into a more advanced role. Asked whether that adjustment helps the France international perform closer to goal, Amorim was measured in his response.

“I don't think it's about individual players, it's the rotation of the team and they have different characteristics,” he explained. “You know Rabiot is going to get the ball down near the midfielders, Moreira is a completely different player in that position. Modric gave us more possession with the ball, but then we suffered a little more in transitions.”

The trade-off between control and defensive solidity is a familiar dilemma, and it is one that becomes harder to manage when a defender of Gabbia's profile is unavailable. Milan's squad depth will be tested in the coming weeks, particularly if the injury proves to be more than a minor knock.

What It Means for Milan's Upcoming Fixtures

For now, Milan must wait on a clearer diagnosis. The club has not issued a timeline, and Amorim's post-match comments stopped short of offering any return date. That uncertainty is itself a problem for a side trying to build momentum after the Lecce win.

Milan's supporters will be hoping the injury is short-term, but the immediate priority is finding a way to remain competitive without compromising the defensive structure. The set-piece goal conceded at Sassuolo served as a reminder that fine margins decide matches, and missing a key defender only narrows those margins further.

With the international break now behind them, Milan return to domestic action with questions to answer. Whether Gabbia is fit or not, Amorim's side must address their vulnerability from corners and free-kicks. For the latest updates on squad availability across Europe's top leagues, keep an eye on our latest football news section, and check our Serie A predictions for upcoming fixtures. Fans looking for data-driven insight can also explore today's AI betting tips.