AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli hailed the performance of Rafael Leao after victory at Fiorentina.

Leao scored one and created the other in the 2-1 win.

Pioli said: “We accompanied him in his career and he let himself be accompanied, he was willing to learn. He is now right on the verge of becoming the great champion we always thought he could become. I see him doing so much better not just in his skill, but the attitude in training and during the match.

“Of course Milan rely on him, just like Paris Saint-Germain rely on Kylian Mbappé and any other team looks to the quality of its individual talents. He can play in so many different ways, has strength as well as quality, he has everything that he needs."

He also said: “Looking at the table does give us regrets, because I don't think there is a 14-point difference between the two teams. Inter took advantage of a decisive month when we were struggling with injuries, lost two home games in a row to Juventus and Udinese, along with draws against Napoli and Lecce. In those four games, Inter picked up 12 points and they have been able to maintain that advantage.

“We changed at least a dozen players in the squad this season, we needed time to get to know each other, I had to work out how to get the best out of them. That is the most important thing a coach can do in his career.

“This season we have more quality with Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Chukwueze and Leao, midfielders who can pass the ball around well like Bennacer, Adli and Reijnders. We lost out in other characteristics, so must try to make up for it with focus, sacrifice, everyone running a little bit harder, which we didn't have at the start of the season because we were still getting used to these movements."