The “Number 9 Curse”: A Convenient Excuse
Every season, almost like clockwork, the debate over the so-called “AC Milan number 9 curse” resurfaces. But this label risks concealing the real issue: it has nothing to do with superstition or bad luck. It is, instead, a matter of attacking quality and a system of play that, right now, simply does not support the centre-forward adequately.
Gonçalo Ramos is a striker of the highest calibre. He proved his ability to score consistently even at Paris Saint-Germain, a club where, despite not always being the regular starter, he delivered whenever called upon. His movement off the ball, his ability to hold up play, his involvement in build-up phases — these are all hallmarks of a modern, complete centre-forward. Milan may have paid slightly more than expected to secure him ahead of the competition in late June, but that was a deliberate strategic choice: rather than waiting until the end of August for a fire sale and ending up with less appealing options.
Against Juventus: Zero Usable Balls for Ramos
The most telling test so far this season was the match against Juventus, the first real head-to-head clash against a direct rival for Champions League qualification. In that game, the Portuguese striker did not receive a single playable ball. How is an attacker supposed to make a difference when surrounded by four defenders, with no supply from the attacking midfield, no runs in behind and no precise crosses from the flanks?
The answer is straightforward: he simply cannot. And that is not his fault. The draw against Juventus exposed structural flaws in Milan’s offensive build-up that go well beyond any individual’s performance. Even the best striker in the world cannot create something out of nothing. Without the right foundation, goals will not come.
The Venezia Game: When Milan Create, Ramos Scores
The contrast became crystal clear in the match against Venezia: on that occasion Milan created plenty of chances, built dangerous moves with regularity, and Gonçalo Ramos, despite wasting a couple of opportunities in the first half, went on to score a fine goal in the second. This is the ideal template — a team that generates offensive play gives its striker the chance to deliver. When the system works, the number 9 scores. When it breaks down, the attacker is left stranded.
The Attacking Midfield: The Real Missing Link
The critical knot lies precisely in that area between midfield and attack. Milan have several players capable of operating on the wings and in the number 10 role: Pulisic, the American who brings unpredictability and quality, Chukwueze, Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Cissé, and in the middle Rabiot, who, however, struggles to fit the profile of a genuine attacking midfielder. The problem is that none of these players are natural-born number 10s — they are all adapted to the role, and that gap becomes apparent when the team needs to play vertical, incisive football and consistently supply the striker.
One name to watch is Hutchinson, who has generated some curiosity, but it is too early to assess what contribution he can realistically bring in that zone.
Amorim’s Task: Finding the Right Keys
The responsibility for unlocking this situation falls largely on manager Ruben Amorim. Establishing clear hierarchies, deciding who plays on the right and who plays on the left, identifying which midfield pairing best supports the attack — these are decisions that cannot be postponed. Football is built on automatisms and understanding, which are developed through daily work and the repetition of game situations. It takes time, that is true, but at Milan, time is always a scarce resource.
Before labelling Ramos a “flop” — and before someone inevitably invokes the usual number 9 curse — it is only fair to look at the problem with clarity: the striker is not the issue; it is the system that must evolve to allow him to express his true worth. Given the right supply, Gonçalo Ramos can be a decisive figure for AC Milan.
