Matteo Gabbia Italy (Photograph by Claudio Villa/Getty Pictures)
Milan defender Matteo Gabbia admits he ‘didn’t anticipate’ his first senior Italy call-up for Nations League matches in opposition to Belgium and Israel. ‘I hope to make my debut, however above all for Italy to win.’
The defender had spent final season on mortgage in Spain with Villarreal, however since returning to San Siro has develop into an surprising rock on the centre of the Rossoneri defence.
He impressed sufficient to earn a spot in Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri facet getting ready for the large video games in opposition to Belgium on Thursday night, then Israel on Monday.
“I didn’t anticipate to be known as up, even when I did have some hope. Being here’s a particular sensation and I’m very blissful,” Gabbia informed Vivo Azzurro TV.
“I’ll attempt to get pleasure from this week to the fullest, giving my greatest and making an attempt to know what the coach desires. Sporting the Azzurri jersey is a cause to be proud and a way of accountability, it should be honoured in each second.”
Gabbia amongst new faces for Italy
The 24-year-old is one among a number of beforehand uncapped gamers together with Michele Di Gregorio, Nicolò Pisilli and Daniel Maldini.
Curiously, Maldini’s father Paolo was the childhood hero of Gabbia within the Milan youth academy.
“I alternated between defence and midfield then, so I actually liked watching Paolo Maldini and Daniele De Rossi.”
All of the newcomers to the Italy squad should undergo the ritual of standing on a chair within the eating room and singing a track, so Gabbia selected ‘Sarà perché ti amo’ by I Ricchi e Poveri.
“Singing shouldn’t be one among my greatest qualities. I selected this track as a result of the Milan followers use it for chants, so I hear it within the stadium and just like the tempo.”
Spalletti praised Gabbia for his energy in defence and holding a excessive line, to not point out being one of many solely Italian gamers repeatedly within the Milan beginning XI.
“I used to be more than happy to listen to his phrases, that was an actual present of confidence in me. I get to know Spalletti over lately, as I had solely met him as soon as when he got here to Milan coaching. He gave me a very good impression.”
Might the defender subsequently make his Italy debut over the following few days?
“I didn’t give it some thought. I hope to make my debut in one among these two video games, however above all for Italy to win.”
🎙️Le parole di Matteo #Gabbia in esclusiva a 𝗩𝗶𝘃𝗼 𝗔𝘇𝘇𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗩
📲 https://t.co/lG08uIfOPJ#Nazionale 🇮🇹 #Azzurri #VivoAzzurroTV pic.twitter.com/NsZpDElKZU
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) October 8, 2024
