Atalanta coach Antonio Conte has admitted that he is a huge admirer of AC Milan favourite Alexandre Pato.

The Brazilian star is set to feature for Milan against Atalanta on Sunday, and Conte knows that despite their visitors' poor start to the domestic season and the pressure being heaped on coach Leonardo's shoulders, the Serie A giants should never be underestimated - especially with Pato in their ranks..

"I've never seen play like that from someone so young," Conte said of Pato.

"However, the Rossoneri have many world class players in their squad that they can pull the rabbit out of the hat at any moment.

"I imagine Leonardo will rely on the old guard with World Cup winners like Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluca Zambrotta and Alessandro Nesta.

"We will also have a tough time trying to deal with Pippo Inzaghi. We need to keep him out of the box, as when he gets in there, he's lethal.

"However, the player I am most impressed with is Pato. For a kid, he's exceptional."

Pato arrived in Italy when he was 17 and duly scored two goals on his Serie A debut in January 2008.