Tuttosport: Why Cisse is not guaranteed to start against Atalanta despite hat-trick

Ruben Amorim has some dilemmas to resolve regarding the team that will face off against Atalanta, including regarding Alphadjo Cisse.

Tuttosport write that Cisse stole the headlines with his lethal hat-trick against Salzburg on Thursday, Goncalo Ramos’ goal shouldn’t be overlooked either. It was one that had no bearing on the victory and was a simple one for a player of his quality, but it was important for morale.

Ramos is coming off a difficult start to his new life with the Rossoneri but is ready to bounce back tonight against Atalanta, perhaps paired with the young Azzurrini star Cisse. However, it is not a certainty.

A dilemma for Amorim

Tonight, Gonçalo Ramos will be back in his place at the centre of an attack that could see him paired with Cisse. It will be difficult for Amorim to keep the 19-year-old out of the team after his hat-trick in the Europa League, amid talk of a potential renewal too.

Why is Cisse not guaranteed a start? Christian Pulisic is the reason, as the Portuguese coach seems intent on fielding just one of the many attacking midfielders available, bringing in an extra midfielder and two attacking wing-backs on the flanks.

Ramos and Cisse have already started together four times – in Torino, Venezia, Lazio and Benfica – although the first spark between the two ignited in Wroclaw on August 15th, when Amorim started them together in the friendly against Manchester United, winning 4-2 with both scoring.

It was a match that effectively convinced everyone at Milan to keep the former Catanzaro attacking midfielder at Milanello rather than loan him out. Pulisic will be fired up too by his record against Atalanta: 1 win, 2 draws and 4 defeats with 0 goals scored.