AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao: We know we must step up at Roma

AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao says he's determined to silence his critics.

Leao has been hammered by pundits in recent weeks.

And he said at yesterday's Europa League media conference ahead of facing Roma: "It isn't only important for me. It is important for everyone.

We know how important this game is. The most important of the season, to me. We are aware we meet a strong team. We want to progress.

Criticism is normal when you want to improve. I am a young player, and everything looks simple if everything goes well. I must always have that pressure. Criticism challenges me. I am with a great coach here and Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] is always supporting us.

[In the first leg] We had a few details wrong and they were stronger than us. We analysed what didn't work and we'll do better tomorrow.

Roma have changed since the new coach arrived. They play good football and they have players who make the difference. These are important games, decided by details."

Leao added: All of us, myself included, didn't do well in the first leg, and we lost, but we have regained confidence against Sassuolo because we showed energy and didn't give up. We talked to each other in the dressing room after the Sassuolo game. We know the importance of this match."