GdS: Slow starts specialist Ramos must live up to price tag against Lecce

After bagging one goal in the opening five games, AC Milan are hoping to unblock Goncalo Ramos in tonight’s game against Lecce.

One could argue that Milan have scored a reasonable number of goals so far, with seven in the four league games played so far, but the clash against Benfica highlighted their struggles up front. Above all, it was clear once again that Ramos is far behind where he needs to be.

Slow starts specialist

As pointed out by Gazzetta dello Sport this morning (see featured image), Ramos is no stranger to slow starts. In the last three seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, for example, he has never scored more than what he has now (one goal) in the first five games.

In 2023-24, he didn’t even find the back of the net in those first five games. He still ended that season with 14 goals to his name, and in the following one, he upped it to 19. In short, Ramos rarely gets off to flying starts, but historically it hasn’t been a cause for concern.

Regardless of the history, though, Amorim is hoping that Ramos will be back on target against Lecce tonight. No goals in the last three games is indeed a worrying stat, and heading into the international break without that goal would be tough for the No.9.

Providers are back

While Ramos is the man expected to score all the goals, Christian Pulisic is seen more as an assist-man. Having returned to 100% from a physical point of view, the American is now looking to cement his spot in the starting eleven, set to make his first start of the season.

Alongside him in the attacking midfield, Alexis Saelemaekers will play, the only Rossoneri man who has provided a winning assist for Ramos, who scored the opener against Venezia at San Siro. That was August 28th, and since then, AC Milan have failed to impress, except for the second half against Lazio.

Coincidentally, that was when Pulisic made his debut of the season, immediately providing the assist for the first of Diego Moreira’s two goals. Can he do the same for Ramos tonight?

Camarda lurking

Francesco Camarda is perhaps a bit too young still to put pressure on Ramos. He has played five minutes so far, coming on against Lazio at the end, but he was unable to provide a winning touch for the Rossoneri.

Milan need to unlock their big-money signing, which means they need to keep playing him, and handing over the responsibility to Camarda now would put unfair pressure on the youngster in challenging times.

The decision to continue fielding Ramos, as such, is more of a necessity than a choice, as the newspaper concludes.