AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli thinks Daniel Maldini is full of talent. But there are still points that need to be developed to level up.

The Red Devils narrowly defeated Spezia 2-1 in Serie A on Saturday, with goals from Daniel Maldini and Braim Diaz helping. Let Rossoneri collect 3 points back out.

After the game, there were inquiries about the performance of Daniel Maldini, who got the chance to start in Serie A for the first time, which the Rossoneri sees as a talented player. But there are still a lot of parts that need to be developed.

“The most important thing about Daniel is that he is talented. There is a good vision of the game,” Pioli said.

“But he has to be faster and try to get away from him more than ever before. And what he had to do next was to escape 2 meters from the coupler and open those areas.

“His first starting line-up was against Rio Ave last year, he played in the position of False 9 so this was his first serious start. He has the quality to make an impact in the future and can definitely do better.”

However, Diaz proved the hero to propel Milan to 16 points in the competition after six games for just the third time in the three points for a win era, with Pioli delighted at his side’s response in the face of adversity. 

“It’s a great victory, because we played well. But It is not very well, and getting the result anyway shows mental strength,” Pioli told DAZN in his post-match interview. 

AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli thinks Daniel Maldini is full of talent

“This is a young squad, but they believe in themselves, in the team and in our approach to football. We must not lose our humility. But it’s only right they feel able to handle certain pressure and win any game. 

“The pressure and expectations have increased around us this season, but we are showing that we can handle that.” 

Indeed, Maldini’s winner made him the third generation of his family to score for the Rossoneri, 13 years and 179 days after Paolo’s last league goal and 60 years and 22 days since his grandfather Cesare’s final strike for the club.

And Pioli, who handed Maldini his first start. As he was without a host of names. Including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Tiemoue Bakayoko, was impressed with the youngster. 

“The important thing about Daniel [Maldini] is that he has talent,” the Milan boss said. 

“He has technique, a good vision of the game. It needs to be quicker and more intensive in shaking off his marker. 

“[Mehdi] Bourabia was keeping tight to him and all he needed was another couple of metres to get away from his marker and open up those spaces.”