Gennaro Gattuso speaks on Krzysztof Piatek after Empoli win

AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso has spoken about the tactical awareness of winter signing Krzysztof Piatek. The Poland international has been a revelation for the Rossoneri since joining from Genoa last month and he has already contributed four goals in many league starts for the San Siro outfit.

Speaking in a press conference, Gattuso admitted that he has been impressed with the workrate shown by the Pole. He added that the marksman likes to analyse the movement of opposition defenders before the game and that has partly contributed to the success, he said: “Piatek has settled in very well and works hard, but he’s not a player who stands out in training. He looks after himself but doesn’t do that much. He is far more practical, focuses on the important things and likes to test out the movements two or three days before a game.”

The 23-year-old was largely an unknown to the footballing fraternity until making the move to Genoa last summer. Thereafter, he managed to take the league by storm with 13 goals from just 19 matches and the form had attracted interest from West Ham United among others before AC Milan won the race to pursue him.

Piatek has only managed six appearances for the Rossoneri since the winter move but he has already become a firm favourite with seven goals across all competitions. The Rossoneri are scheduled to face Lazio on the road during the first leg of the Coppa Italia on Tuesday night and the match should offer Piatek with another opportunity to develop his glowing reputation.

Piatek was the hero during the quarter final against Napoli last month where he announced himself to the Rossoneri faithful with a sensational first half brace. He was recently on the scoresheet during the 3-0 league triumph over Empoli which preserved the club’s fourth position in the league standings.