Pioli’s Assessment of Milan’s Current Squad
Former AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has offered his assessment of the Rossoneri’s current squad, identifying what he believes are four or five top-class players within the team. Speaking on Sky Sport Italia, Pioli, who departed Fiorentina early in the 2025-26 season, indicated he has found his recent sabbatical beneficial.
Pioli singled out goalkeeper Mike Maignan, describing him as ‘the best in an absolute sense’ for his game participation and saves. He also highlighted Christian Pulisic as a top player for the club. While discussing top talent, Pioli also mentioned players like Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, Strahinja Pavlovic, Mats De Winter, and Gonçalo Ramos, acknowledging their quality in the wider football landscape.
Reflecting on Rafael Leão’s Milan Tenure
Pioli also reflected on his coaching relationship with Rafael Leão, who was a pivotal figure during Milan’s 2021-22 Scudetto triumph, earning the division’s MVP award that season. Leão was sold to Galatasaray for €38 million over the summer. Pioli praised Leão’s ‘incredible quality’ and recalled the significant work done by himself, Paolo Maldini, and Frederic Massara to get the best out of the Portuguese forward.
He explained that Leão, despite being a good player and person, ‘needs to be encouraged in a certain way,’ and that the team structure, with players like Franck Kessie and Sandro Tonali, allowed Leão to thrive without extensive defensive duties. The former Milan boss also drew a comparison between Leão and current Milan star Diego Moreira, noting that Moreira possesses similar qualities.
A Sabbatical After Fiorentina Exit
Reflecting on his departure from Fiorentina, Pioli admitted he ‘made a mistake by trying to raise the bar too much,’ putting undue pressure on the team. He confirmed he had received offers from abroad but chose not to pursue them, stating that a break was necessary after his time with the Viola.