After dispatching Siena at San Siro last night, Milan are just one point adrift of leaders Napoli and Udinese, and Brazilian star Kakà believes they have finally hit their stride.

The victory over the Robur propelled the Diavoli to third place in the standings, leapfrogging Inter and throwing down their gauntlet in the Scudetto race.

After the winner that brought down Atalanta in Bergamo last weekend, Ricky was again decisive, as he netted a penalty that was awarded for a push on Filippo Inzaghi.

"All the sacrifices that we have made recently are starting to pay dividends, and we are notching up important results," Kakà declared after the encounter.

"Even though we don't always have good games, we now take to the pitch with the right mentality to overcome our opponents. It is nice to string together a series of positive results and being up there in the table is a beautiful feeling."

"It has been so long since we have had such a magnificent tournament. However, playing every three days is a big sacrifice, and I was also in the Brazil team for the World Cup qualifiers, so I really strive to recuperate."

Napoli travel to Italy's fashion capital next weekend to face the Rossoneri in Sunday night's eagerly anticipated 'Posticipo'.

"It will be a very important tie," admitted the 26-year-old, "because if we win, we would leapfrog another side and possibly reach the top of the standings."

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