Goncalo Ramos doubled his AC Milan tally on Thursday against RB Salzburg, and now hopes to follow it up with another goal.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport write this morning, this could be a turning point for either Milan or Atalanta. It is the match that could change the course of the season for Ruben Amorim or for Maurizio Sarri.

Milan and Atalanta arrive at the San Siro face-off after Thursday’s two victories in Europe, but also needing to accelerate because they’ve so far picked up fewer points than expected in the league. A draw would be of little use.

They urgently need a strong signal and a solid performance from both teams, and (perhaps) from their respective summer signings: Gonçalo Ramos and Jonathan Rowe. Amorim and Sarri are banking heavily on them. They expect goals that earn points in the standings.

Even though we’re only at the seventh matchday of Serie A, Milan and Atalanta can’t lose any more ground. The most expensive signings in the history of both clubs must lend a helping hand.

Ramos ‘tries again’

Ramos is the striker Gerry Cardinale expects to score goals that will take Milan back to the top, at least to the Champions League next year. So far, Gonçalo has disappointed, beating the opposition goalkeeper only against Venezia (his only goal at San Siro) in the league.

He’s run a lot, often more than any of his team-mates, but he’s not been too clinical in front of goal. Generally the service has been crosses and not combination play in tight spaces, as he prefers. As a result, he’s been left without a shot on target against Juventus, Lazio, and Lecce.

Against Sassuolo, he came close to scoring, then he did find the net when he came on as a substitute against Salzburg on Thursday. It was his first European goal for the Rossoneri, combined with three for the national team during the international break.

Amorim hopes this could give him the energy to have a starring role this autumn and prove that the €70m plus bonuses paid to PSG was not wasted. Amorim strongly wanted him, and Cardinale signed him before the transfer window even opened, so they have no doubts.

Ramos played 30 minutes on Thursday, as Amorim rotated some players. Gila Chukwueze, Moreira, Musah and Pulisic were the others to rest. He is expected to make six changes and revert to the ‘first choice’ team. Milan-Atalanta feels like a potential turning point: failure is not an option.