'The team are doing well' and I expect Leao to 'explode' next season - AC Milan Coach Pioli

AC Milan Italian Manager Stefano Pioli. Photo: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Milan coach Stefano Pioli has claimed he expected the good performance against Atalanta on Friday and believes Rafael Leao will ‘explode’ next season.


A hard fought 1-1 draw with Atalanta left Pioli happy, as he saw a resolute Milan who went for the three points all the way until the end.

“The team are doing well and everyone is available,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia after the match.

“The great thing is that we tried to win it to the end, this is the most important thing.

Pioli has been confirmed until June 2022, but the former Fiorentina and Inter coach has claimed he always kept calm.

“I’m happy with the renewal, but I have always been peaceful. I have always had great serenity and convition.

“We must do quality work, we are Milan and we must continue to develop. Let’s think about the two games remaining and then we can rest before we go again.

“We want to give continuity to what we are doing, then if we can improve it, we will.”

Milan are lacking the leading goalscorer of the top teams but Pioli pointed to Ibrahimovic’s arrival and claimed Leao has shown ‘enormous potential’ but mostly in training so far.

“Who wouldn’t want [a striker that scores 25 goals a season]? But my belief is that we all made an effort and the performances we offered are everyone’s credit.

“We were a young team that knew very little about each other, it was normal that we needed time. The arrival of Ibra was fundamental, to help the young players grow around him. But I think there will be other things put on the plate, it will still take some time.

“[Leao] has enormous potential, it’s right to have great expectations for him. He’s growing, this year he will be important for the next season.

“He does much better in training than in the matches, but he will get there. Today, he was positive but he can do more. He has the quality to open the games, from the beginning or coming off the bench.

“Next year he could explode, or at least be more consistent.”