Milan’s draw at Sassuolo has left a longer concern than the 1-1 scoreline. Matteo Gabbia, making his first start of the season, was taken off on a stretcher in the 20th minute, and the defender now faces an absence expected to run into several months.
The coach and the club
Tests carried out on the 27-year-old have confirmed an injury to the flexor muscle in his left thigh, with partial tendon involvement. Milan will seek a specialist opinion before determining the treatment plan.
Two paths are under consideration: surgery or conservative treatment. Neither option offers a short route back, and the current expectation is that Gabbia is unlikely to return to competitive action before 2027.
The setback arrives in a season that had only just begun to offer him a first starting opportunity. Earlier in the campaign, between August and September, Gabbia had already dealt with two ankle problems. This latest injury is considerably more serious and will require Milan to manage a prolonged absence in defence.
- Gabbia started the 1-1 draw away to Sassuolo, his first start of the season.
- He was injured and left the field on a stretcher after 20 minutes.
- Medical examinations identified a left-thigh flexor injury with partial tendon involvement.
- A specialist consultation will decide whether he undergoes surgery or follows conservative therapy.
For Milan, the immediate task is not simply replacing a player for a match or two. Gabbia’s recovery timetable will shape a substantial part of the season, with the club awaiting the specialist’s assessment before setting out the next stage of his rehabilitation.
