Milan, who are reportedly to be bought to Bahrain based totally investment firm Investcorp, reclaimed the summit after in short being bumped down to second before kick-off in front of over 70,000 fans at the San Siro.
But Leao's cushioned eleventh-minute volley from Pierre Kalulu's move and a Junior Messias strike with three minutes final have been enough for Stefano Pioli's aspect to preserve their two-point lead over nearby rivals Inter.
Attention will now turn to third-placed Napoli who face in-form Roma on Monday night hoping to transport degree on sixty nine factors with Inter, at the same time as Juventus sit down nine factors off the tempo ahead of their domestic fixture with Bologna on Saturday.
"The extra games we play, the greater critical every in shape will become," said Messias.
"We knew nowadays would not be clean however we were desirable and we got the 3 points that make us need to keep fighting."
Portugal forward Leao's sumptious finish was the spotlight of an in any other case uninspiring display which confirmed why Milan have struggled to place away Serie A's lesser lighting fixtures since the turn of the year.
- 'Positive energy' -
Milan kept their 7th instantly easy sheet in all competitions -- having lost proper-lower back Davide Calabria to a stomach computer virus rapidly before kick off -- but it turned into a night of few chances for the seven-time European champions.Â
Olivier Giroud's miscued overhead kick inside the 57th minute changed into the primary sincerely appropriate opportunity after Leao's opener.
Leao then went close to doubling the hosts' lead while he forced an awesome save from Salvatore Sirigu, however Messias positioned the home crowd into birthday party mood whilst he smashed within the 2nd after being denied through the Italy international in the Genoa goal.
