Gonçalo Ramos experienced a new delicate meeting against AJ Auxerre (2-0), Saturday at the Parc des Princes. Holder at the forefront of the Parisian attack, the Portuguese striker failed to end his series of mixed performance in Ligue 1. After a performance deemed insufficient during the classic against Marseille (1-0), he did not find the flaw against an Auxerroise team resolutely grouped in defense. However, Ramos had shown a different face in the Champions League last week, scoring a decisive goal by coming into play against Atalanta. This contrast marks the paradox that accompanies its start to the season in Paris. Effective when he comes into play, but unable to confirm when he is aligned immediately. With six matches played in the league, including four tenure, and a total of already substantial minutes, the native of Olhão struggles to convince over time and has still not marked as a holder in Ligue 1, despite the absences of Dembélé and Goué.
On the ground, his statistics against Auxerre reflect his difficulties. The 24 -year -old striker hit 34 balloons, but only converted one shot on two attempts, and failed to weigh in the aerial game (0 aerial duel won out of 3), nor on certain key offensive actions. His 12 ball loss and only 59 % of successful passes (13 out of 22) show that he had trouble integrating into the Parisian rhythm and collective, while the team sought to dominate and create opportunities. His three attempts at dribbles, two of whom are successful, and his unique key pass are not enough to mask a performance marked by a lack of precision and decisive impact. Despite everything, the former Benfica player was not completely harmless and tried to weigh in the game, but the lack of fluidity in his movements and his limited choices were visible, especially in the face of a grouped and disciplined defense.
0 goal in Ligue 1 this season
This paradox becomes a real headache for Luis Enrique, who sees the Portuguese being promising in certain contexts but unable to assert himself as the new number on the duration. The absences of players like Dembélé or Goué could have offered him the opportunity to gain ground and to win sustainably, but Ramos could not take advantage of these opportunities to score points. The Spanish coach, faithful to his tactical rigor, has already experienced other offensive solutions this season: Mayulu has been aligned with fake new and proved that he could adapt to various diagrams, while other young people and rotation players are also observed for their ability to meet the immediate needs of the team. Last May, Luis Enrique praised it despite a special status: Gonçalo Ramos is an indisputable player for me as a coach and for the team because of his behavior, his way of training and being competitive. These are more than remarkable figures. He is ready for everything, to play 0 minutes like 90. Physically, he is a player who seems older than he is. When we see him, we perceive him as somewhat mature, professional. It's wonderful to train him.
And this is how Gonçalo Ramos is thus found in a delicate position, because if it has minutes, the number 9 of PSG must nevertheless quickly transform its potential into concrete performance to secure its place in the offensive hierarchy. With a crucial trip next Wednesday in the Champions League on the lawn of FC Barcelona, this offensive paradox becomes a major issue. Luis Enrique could continue to innovate and reorganize his attack according to the needs of the match and the state of form of his players. For Gonçalo Ramos, the Catalan opposition represents a determining test: he must show that he can be this reference scorer in major meetings and impose himself as a reliable option for the coach. So far, its start to the season has been marked by the alternation between effective entries and disappointing tenure, a precarious balance which could weigh on its confidence and its place in the group if no improvement is noted in the next meetings.
