Amorim Is Crazy About the Young Italian
Pulisic Could Be Left Out
Gonçalo Ramos's redemption and the temptation of Cisse. While the spotlight on Thursday against Salzburg was rightly taken by the almost 20-year-old Alphadjo with his lethal hat-trick, the goal that made it 4-0, scored by the Portuguese striker, should not go unnoticed.
A goal that had no influence on the outcome of the victory and was relatively simple for a player like the former PSG man, but fundamental for Gonçalo Ramos's morale. The striker has endured a difficult start to the season in the Rossoneri shirt but is ready to relaunch himself tonight against Atalanta, perhaps alongside the young Italian youth international himself.
At Milanello, everyone hopes that his goal at the Red Bull Arena will finally unlock the Portuguese striker, who, it must be remembered, remains stuck on just one Serie A goal, scored almost two months ago, on August 28 at San Siro against Venezia.
It is precisely at their home stadium that Milan will look to get their league campaign back on track this evening, following the 1-1 draw against Sassuolo in Reggio Emilia and a sluggish run over the last four matchdays (six points from four matches).
A few more goals from the centre-forward who cost €73.1 million (according to the official figures in the latest financial statements) would obviously help Milan accelerate and return firmly to the Champions League places.
Clearly, the responsibility does not lie entirely with Gonçalo Ramos, who has received little service and has often been forced by the team's style of play to operate far from the penalty area, as pointed out via Tuttosport today.
With his national team, for example, the centre-forward has shown that, when supported by a system designed to help him score, he knows how to do his job: three goals in as many matches started, with the first having subsequently triggered the Cristiano Ronaldo controversy.
Things have not gone the same way at Milan, despite a decent impact both in the preseason friendlies and in his first Serie A appearances against Torino (no goals, but good involvement in the attacking phase) and Venezia (three missed chances, but also a superb goal scored with his left foot).
Then something stopped working, mainly in Milan's attacking play, but also in the confidence of the 25-year-old from Olhão himself, who barely touched the ball against Juventus, Lazio and Benfica.
His contribution was better against Lecce (one and a half assists), followed, after the international break, by another lacklustre performance against Sassuolo.
In Salzburg, he was benched for the first time to catch his breath and make room for Camarda, but when Amorim threw him into the action with half an hour remaining, he made the most of Jashari's assist at the first good opportunity.
As if to say: give me a good ball and I'll put it in the net.
Tonight, Gonçalo Ramos will duly take his place at the centre of an attack that could see him partnered with Cisse.
Indeed, it will be difficult for Amorim to leave out his "favourite" after his hat-trick in the Europa League.
The young Italian international is competing with Pulisic for a starting spot, given that the Portuguese coach appears intent on fielding only one of the many attacking midfielders at his disposal, adding an extra central midfielder and two attacking wide players on the flanks.
Ramos and Cisse have already started together on four occasions (against Torino, Venezia, Lazio and Benfica) although the first spark between the two came in Wrocław on August 15, when Amorim fielded them together from the start in a friendly against Manchester United, winning 4-2 with both players getting on the scoresheet.
That match effectively convinced everyone at Milan to keep the former Catanzaro attacking midfielder at Milanello.
Tonight, the two will try again against Atalanta, and who knows whether Pulisic's exclusion (should it happen) might also be influenced by his record against 'La Dea': one victory, two draws and four defeats, with zero goals scored.
