The No. 9s Take Centre Stage in Serie A

Matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Serie A Enilive season highlighted a significant resurgence of the traditional centre-forward, with stars like Lautaro Martínez, Nolato Thuram, Mateo Pellegrino, and Rasmus Højlund stepping back into the spotlight. This matchday proved a vibrant showcase for strikers as they scored crucial goals, hinting at a potential shift in Serie A's attacking dynamics. In recent seasons, goal-scoring responsibility had drifted towards wingers and midfielders, an evolution that concluded with Lautaro Martínez's modest 17-goal haul as last season's top scorer—an unusually low figure by traditional Serie A standards.

Setting the tone this weekend, Mateo Pellegrino opened Fiorentina's account against Torino with an eye-catching long-range strike, marking his first Serie A goal from outside the box—only the second of his career in this context. This goal also etched Pellegrino's name into Fiorentina's history, making him the third Argentine to net the club's opening goal of a season, joining the ranks of legends like Ramón Díaz and Gabriel Batistuta.

Torino reacted swiftly, drawing level through former Fiorentina player Rolando Mandragora before Che Adams clinched a vital late winner. Adams displayed his versatility by scoring in a less conventional way, reflecting the importance of adaptability in a modern centre-forward's arsenal. Meanwhile, in a high-octane clash at San Siro, Lautaro Martínez, Rasmus Højlund, and Marcus Thuram all scored in a five-goal thriller that underscored their influence in Serie A. Højlund’s impressive form from distance marked a new dimension to his game, while Thuram’s aerial prowess continues to make him a dangerous asset.

Lautaro further cemented his legacy by scoring twice to lead Inter to a comeback victory, surpassing club legend Stefano Nyers to claim third place in Inter's all-time scoring list. His performance epitomizes the resurgence of centre-forwards in Serie A, reflecting a broader trend that fans are excited to witness. Young talent Antonio Raimondo of Frosinone also shined, currently holding the title of the highest-scoring Italian in the league with four goals, demonstrating that the future of Serie A’s striking talent is secure.

As Bologna strategized with a dual-striker approach against Sassuolo, both Roberto Piccoli and Artem Dovbyk showcased the impact of traditional centre-forwards. Their efforts secured Bologna’s first point of the season, further validating the strategic return to a front-line focused on classic No. 9s. Matchday 3 reaffirmed the compelling presence of centre-forwards in Serie A and the excitement surrounding this evolving narrative.