Samuel Chukwueze: Portugal star Leão, AC Milan boss Pioli praise Nigeria winger after Fiorentina display

Samuel Chukwueze has received applause from different quarters following his excellent display during AC Milan’s fine 2-1 Serie A victory at Fiorentina, Soccernet.ng reports.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leão scored either side of a stunning Alfred Duncan effort to hand Milan their 20th league win of the campaign.

Chukwueze was unlucky not to be among the goal scorers inside the Artemio Franchi in Firenze as he was unplayable for the 73 minutes he was on the pitch.

The Nigeria international had 44 touches, made two key passes, created one big chance, and had a headed effort on target that goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano kept out.

Defensively, Chukuweze also worked his socks off, winning four of five duels and completing two of three dribbles to ease the pressure on his team.

Portuguese superstar Rafael Leão was particularly pleased to see Chukuweze contribute to AC Milan’s first away win at Fiorentina since 2021.

“When the team is good, I feel better,” Rafael Leão told SkySport via Sportmediaset.

“Today, I have to talk about Chukwueze because he played a great game; I’m very happy for him because he had delicate moments. I’m very happy for him.”

AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli was also delighted with Chukwueze’s performance.

Pioli said he noticed an increase in Chukuweze’s confidence following his first Serie A goal in the 3-1 victory over Hellas Verona just before the March international break.

“The goal in Verona certainly did him (Chukuweze) a lot of good,” Pioli said after the Fiorentina win, as per Milan news.

“He is a very positive guy; he stayed with us and worked well during the break. Then I have to tell the truth: if Pulisic hadn’t confided to me yesterday that he was feeling a bit tired, I probably would have let Chris leave, but Chukwu deserved this opportunity, which he exploited very well.

“He is a player who will give us satisfaction because he has quality. He needed more time to settle in, but he knows what we want from him and what he can give to the team.”

Chukwueze scored six goals in 37 La Liga games for Villarreal last season, but he has only managed one Serie A strike for AC Milan in 18 appearances.

Milan are second on the league table, 11 points behind leaders Inter Milan, who have lost just one match this term.