Milan forced into early change against Sassuolo as Gabbia stretchered off in tears

Milan defender Matteo Gabbia suffered an unfortunate injury just over a quarter of an hour into his side’s Serie A match away against Sassuolo on Sunday evening, forcing Ruben Amorim into an early substitution after being carried off on a stretcher.

Gabbia stretchered off 20 minutes into his first Milan start of the season

This was Gabbia’s first start of the 2026-27 season, appearing twice off the bench at the beginning of the campaign before suffering a minor ankle issue in September. He was part of a Rossoneri back four that included Mario Gila at right-back, Pervis Estupinan at left-back and Strahinja Pavlovic as his centre-back partner.

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – OCTOBER 11: Matteo Gabbia of AC Milan lies on the ground injured during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on October 11, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

His evening lasted for just over 15 minutes, though, after going down hurt while attempting to nick the ball off Armand Lauriente on the touchline on Sassuolo’s left wing.

Gabbia stretched for the ball, but was unable to get back off the deck as the referee waved for play to be continued: No foul had been committed either way.

A distraught Gabbia was eventually stretchered off in tears with what appears to be a flexor issue. He was replaced by Koni De Winter in the 20th minute.