AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli praised Rafael Leao and Sandro Tonali after victory over Venezia.

The Rossonero eventually won 3-1.

On Leao, Pioli said: “Believe me that the best thing was to find the players in the summer significantly improved and convinced, Rafa is one of them. The work done last year has paid off. We are talking about 20-year-olds, it is normal that in such a difficult league there were difficulties.

"It was nice to find Leao, Diaz and Tonali so improved and stronger. Leao is a player who can make us win any game, we expect a lot from him. Anyone can jump, it's a great advantage for our offensive phase."

On Tonali, he added: “I always talk a lot with my players, the relationship is created with everyday life. We are talking above all about football, Sandro has always worked well and a lot. Now he is finally showing off his fantastic means, he is a complete midfielder. He must know that this is a starting point and not a point of arrival, there will still be many small stages to overcome."

Pioli also had a word for goalscorer Brahim Diaz, stating: "He is a guy who has always believed in his qualities and who needed to settle into a different league. He is a quality guy. Last year we played with a midfielder, he is a pure quality attacking midfielder. He is back with great pleasure to work at Milan with his team-mates, I am happy that he is taking away some satisfactions."