AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has praised Bryan Cristante after the 18-year-old scored his first goal for the club.

Kaka had already netted twice for Milan before Cristante added the third goal for his side during their 3-0 win over Atalanta, and Allegri insists that he has a lot of faith in the young midfielder.

"I had already considered Cristante for the Derby and the game against Roma. Let's not forget he is very young, as he's only 18," he told Sky Sport Italia. "Cristante has improved a great deal over the last two months, I put my faith in him and in moments of difficulty the younger players can bring that extra sense of joy to their football.

"Cristante is a young player who must be given time to grow without pressure. Obviously at Milan you have to grow up quicker. Last season Niang was treated by some like a phenomenon, but he's just a teenager, so there are bound to be peaks and troughs.

"The same is true of Gabriel, as after one game the media said Milan had found their goalkeeper for the next 15 years, then a week later he was considered hopeless. There needs to be a balance."

Milan are currently 10th in the Serie A table.