(AFP) – Jan 27, 2008

ROME (AFP) — No-one in Milan has failed to be impressed by the start teenage striker Pato has made to life in Serie A.

A brace in AC Milan's 2-0 home win over Genoa on Sunday took his tally to three goals in four games since making his belated debut for the European champions after the end of the winter break.

Pato has started all four games in which he has featured and although he was substituted in midweek against Atalanta, where Milan lost 2-1, having failed to shine, he responded with aplomb on Sunday.

And what was even more impressive was that his two goals came after he had missed two great chances, yet he never let his head drop and still proved to be the match-winner.

And that was despite foraging as a lone attacker up front after usual strike partner Ronaldo was unavailable with a muscle problem and Italy forward Alberto Gilardino was confined to the bench for the entire 90 minutes.

"I missed two chances but I scored two important goals and I don't have any problems playing on my own up front. I play where the coach wants me to," Pato said.

Pato missed an easy first half chance before his two goals following the break but he didn't lose his nerve.

"During the interval my team-mates told me to be more calm than in the first half and the goal would come," he revealed.

It's not just the press and fans impressed by Pato's progress since his big money move from Brazilians Internacional, but also his team-mates, although they are worried about how much attention is being focussed on such young shoulders.

"Pato is very young and we, the team and the coaching staff, need to look after him to keep him relaxed," said veteran Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf.

"He's an intelligent lad but it can be very dangerous to be that famous at his age."

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