Only four “true No.9s” found the net across nine matches on Matchday 15: between injuries and tactical choices, Serie A is desperately searching for new goal scorers ahead of the January transfer window.
The striker issue is becoming a central theme in Serie A. Ahead of Roma–Como, one statistic stands out: across nine matches this weekend — involving 18 teams — only in two cases did the starting center-forwards score.
Atalanta’s Scamacca netted a decisive brace against Cagliari (confirming the form he showed in the Champions League against Chelsea), while Lautaro Martínez scored Inter’s second goal in Genoa. All other starting strikers failed to find the net.
Yes, some goals came from substitutes: Lecce’s Stulic, Lazio’s Noslin, Sassuolo’s Laurienté, and Verona’s Orban (a brace for him). Five goals from bench attackers, added to the three from Scamacca and Lautaro, make eight goals out of 18 scored by forwards. But while Scamacca, Lautaro, Stulic, and Orban can be considered true No. 9s, Noslin and Laurienté are more accurately described as wide attackers.
Put another way: on Matchday 15 of Serie A, only four pure strikers scored across nine matches and 18 teams. This isn’t an isolated stat — it’s reflected in the top scorers’ chart, led by Lautaro with eight goals, followed by Pulisic (a winger) on seven and Çalhanoğlu (a midfielder) on six.
Whether for physical reasons (injuries) or tactical ones, traditional No. 9s — elite goal scorers — are becoming a rare species in Serie A. January’s transfer window will see many clubs hunting for the right striker to help them reach their objectives.
One club that has moved early is Gasperini’s Roma. Sporting director Massara has long opened talks with Manchester United to bring Joshua Zirkzee back to Italy. The parties appear close. It would be a huge boost for a league desperately searching for No. 9s capable of igniting crowds — and, above all, scoring consistently.
