Mario Gila: patellar tendon discomfort, but no serious alarm
Following the 1-1 draw away at Juventus, AC Milan are keeping a close eye on the physical condition of their defensive unit. The most closely monitored name is that of Mario Gila, the Spanish centre-back who was forced off the pitch at the Allianz Stadium due to discomfort in his patellar tendon.
The player reported to Milanello the following day for an assessment with the club’s medical staff: no specific diagnostic tests were deemed necessary. The decision was to manage the issue with a recovery training session, the same type of low-intensity work carried out by all the outfield players who featured against Juventus. Good news, then: the situation is not considered serious.
The former Lazio defender — who will face his former club in Milan’s next league fixture — is expected to be available for selection. He is set to return to full training from tomorrow, with the hope of being at 100% for the upcoming match against the Biancocelesti.
Gila’s recurring physical concerns
One aspect that has not gone unnoticed, however, is Mario Gila’s difficulty in completing full ninety-minute matches. Against Torino, Venezia, and now Juventus, the Spanish defender was substituted in the closing stages, leaving the team exposed at critical moments. In the matches against Torino and Juventus, Milan conceded goals in precisely those final minutes. This is a factor that calls for careful reflection on the management of the player’s workload — despite him being one of the most reliable and well-rounded centre-backs in Serie A.
This is a known physical trait: even during his time at Lazio, Gila often had to contend with minor muscular and tendon complaints that affected his availability. Milan are fully aware of this and the technical and medical staff work carefully to manage his training loads, keeping him fresh for the decisive moments of the season.
Matteo Gabbia improving: Lazio match in his sights
Matteo Gabbia is also a subject of attention at Milanello. The Lombard defender missed the trip to Turin against Juventus due to ankle inflammation that prevented him from being named in the squad. The positive news is that the Busto Arsizio-born centre-back has returned to outdoor training, albeit with a carefully managed and progressive workload.
The stated goal is to have him available at least on the bench for the match against Lazio. A starting role from the first minute seems unlikely, but his presence in the group would already be an encouraging sign at a time when the defensive department needs all available resources.
It was precisely to cover his absence that Milan decided, on the final day of the transfer window, to recall Fikayo Tomori to the squad, securing additional cover in the backline after unsuccessful attempts to sign a new defender. Enquiries had been made, among others, for Gonçalo Inácio, but no deal was finalised.
Milan looks ahead with confidence
With the rest day granted by manager Amorim, all players — and particularly those carrying knocks — will have the chance to recharge and return to training in the best possible condition. Milan’s defensive unit is a department the club has invested in with conviction, and the quality is undoubtedly there: smart management of each individual is all that is needed to maintain a solid and competitive backline throughout the season.
