AC Milan breathe a sigh of relief: Gila has no serious muscle issue, ready for Lazio clash

At the 90+2nd minute at the Allianz Stadium, AC Milan conceded a late equalizer to Juventus after a chaotic aerial ball. The goal came in a frantic scene, with the red-and-black defenders almost camped inside their own box. The final whistle forced the visitors from Milan to stare blankly at the scoreboard. It was a bitter draw, but in that moment, the club's biggest worry was not about two dropped points; it was about Mario Gila limping off in the 88th minute. Gila, the Spanish centre-back who once played for Lazio, tried to battle through a few more minutes after feeling discomfort in his patellar tendon. He hesitated, tested his leg, and eventually sat down waiting for the medical staff. Head coach Ruben Amorim took no risks. He immediately brought on Filippo Terracciano, a decision driven by caution rather than tactical change. As Gila walked off, many AC Milan fans feared the worst, thinking about Matteo Gabbia, who is still nursing his ankle injury. But the good news arrived faster than expected. Gila did not need any clinical tests. This morning, he completed the recovery session at Milanello together with all the players who started the match against Juventus. No significant muscle problem. Those words appeared in the medical report and were enough to ease the criticism directed at the coaching staff for overusing him. After the match, Gila spoke candidly to DAZN. "I still haven't managed to finish matches and that disappoints me," he said. "Today I felt some discomfort in the patellar tendon, but the draw is not to be thrown away." That quote reveals a mature player who can reflect on his own situation. It also raises a bigger question: why is a young centre-back, still proving his worth, unable to complete matches on a regular basis? Looking at recent weeks, Gila had dealt with minor injury problems before. Every time he left the pitch early, AC Milan visibly dropped deeper. The truth is he is being used at a high intensity while the team's defensive line has suffered so many setbacks. Matteo Gabbia is not ready to return, and other replacements do not offer absolute reassurance. Therefore, Gila returning to full training right after the match is a vital signal. AC Milan also received positive news regarding Gabbia. The Italian centre-back has begun running on the pitch on his own, a clear step forward from last week. Moving from indoor exercises to outdoor running means he is gradually regaining confidence. However, he is still dealing with an ankle problem and will be assessed day by day. Rushing him back would be a mistake, as these injuries can easily relapse without proper recovery. With all this in mind, the upcoming match against Lazio at the Olimpico this weekend represents a special narrative for Gila. He used to wear the Lazio shirt before joining AC Milan. Returning to his old ground is always a psychological challenge, especially when he has just recovered from a scare. Will Ruben Amorim trust him from the start, or will he let him rest for one more game? From a tactical point of view, keeping Gila on the bench against Lazio might seem safer. But if AC Milan want to compete for major objectives this season, they cannot keep relying on players who are not fully ready. Gila's presence in the defensive structure is crucial. He reads the game well, passes accurately, and handles pressing situations with composure. A modern centre-back like Gila cannot be trapped in an injury list because of minor physical issues, especially when the medical department manages his workload carefully. There is also a contrarian view: the draw against Juventus may actually be a useful wake-up call for AC Milan. If the attack had been more clinical, they would not have needed to survive in anxiety during the final minutes. Depending too much on centre-back coverage, then watching a key defender limp off, is a familiar image that Milan must overcome. But football is not only about sterile tactics. It is also about the story of people who rise after difficult moments. Gila, at the age of 24, is still developing as a player. He was criticized before for inconsistency in one-on-one duels. Yet his reaction after the Juventus match shows remarkable growth. He did not make excuses for his early substitution, nor did he blame the referee or the opponents. He simply said he was disappointed not to finish the game, while also acknowledging the value of the draw. That maturity is what a top defender needs, because at his position, even a small error can lead to a conceded goal. For AC Milan supporters, the news that Gila has avoided a serious injury feels like a small victory amid the frustration of the draw. There is still a long road ahead, with important games and a busy schedule. Gabbia's recovery also appears to be on track, although a definite timeline has not been set. AC Milan must be patient with their young centre-backs, rather than rushing them back and risking further damage. I still remember a principle I have developed through many years of watching football: injuries never come with a warning, but how a team handles them tells you a great deal. AC Milan did not panic. They put Gila through routine checks, let him move with the starters, and avoided creating a media storm. That is what big clubs do after unexpected setbacks on the pitch. The draw against Juventus may cost AC Milan two valuable points in the title race, but it cannot shake their defensive structure. Mario Gila remains standing, Matteo Gabbia is slowly returning, and this weekend they will face Lazio with a fresh mindset. Fans of the red-and-black team have every right to hope, because when the defence is no longer a concern, major targets remain within reach.