Matteo Gabbia

Key strength: Aerial dominance

Defensive anchor

As AC Milan languish in 19th place with a catastrophic start to the season—one win from five matches and a paltry four points—the crisis gripping the Rossoneri has exposed every weakness at San Siro. Yet amid the chaos, Matteo Gabbia remains a rare constant. The 26-year-old Milanese academy graduate, wearing the iconic #46, has quietly accumulated 630 minutes across eight appearances as Paulo Fonseca's trusted defensive deputy behind Strahinja Pavlovic. While his stat sheet reads zero goals and assists, Gabbia's value is measured in grit: four yellow cards reveal a defender unafraid to operate on the edge, while his 65 defending and 60 physicality ratings translate to aerial dominance in a backline under siege. Valued at €17 million, Gabbia represents something increasingly precious in modern football—a club-trained centre-back steeped in Rossoneri tradition. For a fanbase desperate for continuity amidst the storm, he isn't merely squad depth. He's the living bridge to Milan's defensive heritage, ready to anchor the backline whenever called upon.