Winning big games always has a positive impact on morale, and the feeling after the Real Madrid game is that it could light a new spark for Rafael Leao.

La Gazzetta dello Sport speak this morning about the relationship between Leao and the head coach Paulo Fonseca. The pair never seriously argued, but after incidents like the cooling break and the fact the winger has been benched a fair bit recently, things have not been idyllic either.

The piece is titled: ‘Peace for the comeback. Fonseca and Leao together for a #ACMilan… worthy of the Scudetto. Paulo and Rafa are closer after the victory in Madrid. The dressing room is united: tomorrow in Cagliari the chase for Napoli and Inter begins’.

The 3-1 victory against the European champions – with Leao a big protagonist on his return to the line-up – could really be the new starting point. Not only in the story between Fonseca and Rafa, but more generally for all of Milan.

The Rossoneri players themselves have spoken about it among themselves. The common thought is that a win in Cagliari tomorrow will allow the team to aim decisively for the Scudetto. It is a sort of collective pact to change pace and immediately start the comeback in the league.

This is despite the fact that the league leaders Napoli (with one game more played) are now eight points away and there are five other teams in between, including the reigning champions Inter. However, Inter play Napoli this weekend, while in Madrid the Rossoneri became aware of their strengths.