Inter Milan’s route to the Champions League final in 2010 was one of the most captivating stories of an unlikely European success  in recent memory, and Diego Milito was a pivotal cog in the Jose Mourinho machine which defied the odds to beat Bayern Munich at the end of a thrilling campaign.

He may not be remembered as one of the most gifted centre-forwards to ever spearhead a Champions League winning attack, but Milito was undoubtedly one of the sharpest players in world football when he notched a brace at the Bernabeu to seal European glory for Inter Milan.

Milito embodied the spirit of Mourinho’s underdog mentality as he consistently performed at a level which few believed he was capable of in a special campaign for the Nerazzurri.

The Champions League winner has opened up about his career recently in an interview with Italian media outlet Calciomercato (via Yorkshire Evening Post), revealing his admiration for Marcelo Bielsa.

Bielsa was the manager who handed Milito his debut for the national side in 2003 in which he scored a brace inside the first 10 minutes against Uruguay.

The respect he has for his compatriot is rich to the extent where Milito regards him as a more important figure than the man who masterminded Inter’s 2010 Champions League success.

“The more important, however, was Bielsa who gave me the chance to play with the national team and taught me many things, technically and tactically.”

That Milito holds Bielsa in such high esteem is certainly a positive indicator for Leeds fans ahead of their promotion charge, but his admission could be particularly profound for Tyler Roberts.

Indeed, Roberts is making his first steps into senior football under Bielsa this season and he has already showcased sporadic glimpses of his ability in the Championship, but he has plenty of improving to do to fully endear himself to the Elland Road faithful .

But Milito’s statement on how Bielsa’s individual impact shaped him as a player suggests that his man management skills with centre-forwards are some of the best in the business, and that can only bode well for Roberts’ future.

Leeds fans – thoughts? Let us know below!