Leonardo insists Milan “never for a minute thought we'd lose this match” after a thrilling 3-2 victory away to Real Madrid.
“What can I say? The game spoke for itself. We approached it the best way, even with a very difficult start and conceding that goal, but the team always believed and our second half was extraordinary,” said the Coach.
He ran a huge risk by fielding Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato, Pippo Inzaghi, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf together.
“At the end of the day a line-up has to be done in a balanced fashion and what this side has is the maturity to understand many different approaches.
“It's not just because this was the Champions League and the Bernabeu, but facing an attacking side I felt the best thing we could do was push them really hard.
“Even after going a goal down we never thought we'd lose this game. We faced a good team, but one that suited us perfectly as opponents.”
Nelson Dida's howler gave Raul the opener, but the Rossoneri fought back with Pirlo and a Pato brace.
“Mistakes happened to Madrid too, but Dida is an experienced player who knows how to deal with these situations.
“It's easy to talk now, but in my initial plans for the season it was 4-3-3. However, there are games and games, moments and moments.
“I cannot deny this victory was born from the second half against Roma, where we were forced to push forward and fight back, understanding this system.
“It is impossible to play this way without the midfield doing the right work and the strikers moving the right way. Real play in a similar fashion and so this turned out to be a direct confrontation.”
Leonardo's job was hanging by a thread last week, but with back-to-back victories over Roma and Real Madrid - both fighting back from a goal down - will he remain on the bench?
“I don't think of my story or what will happen in future. I just think this is a moment we should frame and memorise. Above all it is the spirit, the determination to never give in, that is what we can rely on at Milan.
“I live in the present and today is extraordinary. I don't think of the future.”
Leo was the talent scout who took Kaka to Milan nearly seven years ago and they embraced on the touchline at the start of the second half.
“It was between us and I really can't say. It wasn't easy for him after winning everything it was possible to win at Milan to come here in a squad under construction and start again.”
The Rossoneri had never previously won a Champions League game away from home after conceding the first goal.
Mad 2-3 Mil: Pato seals Madrid thriller! Alexandre Pato's brace saw Milan conquer the Bernabeu 3-2 in a spectacular match filled with goalkeeping disasters! More
