Position, service and Pulisic – how Amorim plans to solve the Ramos ‘puzzle’

La Gazzetta dello Sport ask the question: why does Ramos score in every match for Portugal, yet remains stuck on the single goal he netted against Venezia in late August for Milan? It is a question on the minds of fans, and Amorim too.

The answer isn’t as obvious as many might think. For instance, it is not true that he plays significantly further up the pitch for the national team than he is accustomed to with the Rossoneri. While his touches inside the box during his last three games for Portugal did average higher than in Italy, the deciding factor was the team’s overall approach rather than his own.

The distance covered is not really a factor either: he averages 11.5km per 90 minutes with Milan – a high figure, surpassing all his teammates and every other striker in Serie A. Yet, his numbers with Portugal were not far off (10.7km), and his stats during his time at PSG (11.1km) were also comparable.

Ultimately, rather than simply crunching numbers, Amorim needs to solve the ‘Gonçalo puzzle’ by implementing tactical solutions similar to those seen with the Seleção. What kind of solutions? Rapid service into the channels and an attacking line positioned closer to the striker and the opposition box.

What can unlock Ramos
Ramos has struggled to consistently make forward runs for Milan, often dropping deep to find the ball. One statistic in particular speaks volumes about how the former PSG player is served: the player who has delivered the most passes to him (17) is a defender, Mario Gila.

This is a clear sign that the team looks for him less with vertical passes, but more as a target man to hold up play. Consequently, Gonçalo sometimes ends up isolated, especially when deployed ahead of two more static attacking midfielders, such as Cissé and Hutchinson against Benfica.

He has experienced similar situations with Portugal, though less frequently. Conversely, Christian Pulisic could be a huge help to the Portuguese striker as his style of play is less predictable and more dynamic.

‘Captain America’ ​​can combine with Ramos in tight spaces, attack open space himself, or create chances on the ground, either by going it alone or by setting up his team-mate. It is somewhat akin to the partnership Joao Felix offers him at the international level.

Also, keep an eye on the potential connection between Gonçalo and Diego Moreira. The Belgian has the pace, acceleration, and technical ability to provide the No.9 with the added, incisive option of crosses from the byline.

Indeed, if – given the injuries to Saelemaekers and Estupiñán – Amorim were to field a hyper-attacking version of his Milan side against Sassuolo in Reggio Emilia (with Chukwueze, Moreira, and Pulisic playing behind Ramos) the striker would have no more excuses.

Pressure and selflessness
If the burden of replacing a titan like Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t faze Gonçalo while playing for Portugal, it is hard to imagine that the (exorbitant) fee Milan paid for him would cause him any real headaches.

Amorim himself, in a recent interview with SportMediaset, did express some reservations. “I know he faces immense pressure, he is a Milan player. He has to get used to that, and I just want him to keep training the way he always does.”

Ramos is no stranger to heavy responsibility: in Paris – where he lifted two consecutive Champions League trophies – he was frequently called upon to come off the bench and turn the tide of games.

Last year’s European Super Cup was an example, where he equalised against Tottenham, paving the way for his team’s victory on penalties. Pressure does not unsettle the ex-Benfica man; even when playing away from the goal, he has consistently contributed to the cause in Serie A.

The challenge for both him and Amorim remains enabling him to make a real impact inside the penalty area. In his last four matches against Milan, Ramos has not once hit the target. Against Lecce – as in the game against Juventus – the Portuguese forward did not even manage a single shot.

Yet, Ramos remains the number nine for a team boasting the league’s third-best attack, trailing only Inter and Roma. It proves that a striker can help team-mates score rather than selfishly focusing solely on his own stats.

Despite this, Amorim is well aware that Milan’s chances improve significantly when Ramos receives better service in front of goal.