Serie A matchday 9: record 0-0s, four teams yet to win | OneFootball

The 2025/26 Serie A season is experiencing a year marked by unusual numbers, with statistics that no one could have expected. After the first nine matchdays, Italy's top league has recorded a series of negative records that reflect its complexity and, at the same time, its growing unpredictability.

Serie A, 9th Matchday, the Goal Paradox: Record Number of 0-0s and Four Teams Still Without a Win

The most surprising statistic comes from the 0-0 draws: for the first time in the three-point era, every matchday has featured at least one goalless draw. A historic anomaly that confirms an increasingly evident trend: defenses are dominating, while attacks are struggling to make an impact.

Nine matchdays, nine goalless draws: a never-before-seen statistic

The recent Pisa-Lazio match, which ended 0-0, completed a picture that rightfully enters the history of Italian football. From the first to the ninth matchday, every round of the league has seen at least one match end with no goals scored.

The peak came on the seventh matchday, which saw the lowest total number of goals scored: just 11 goals in total, with four matches ending 0-0 – Pisa-Verona, Lecce-Sassuolo, Genoa-Parma, and Atalanta-Lazio. These numbers paint a picture of a league that is more tactical and locked down than usual, where caution and defensive compactness prevail.

Four teams without wins: another negative record

But it's not just the lack of goals that's concerning. After nine matchdays, as many as four teams have yet to taste victory: Genoa, Fiorentina, Hellas Verona, and Pisa.

This is a statistic that hasn't been seen in over twenty years and highlights the level of difficulty in this Serie A, where even the newly promoted teams are putting historic clubs in trouble. The lack of consistency and poor attacking incisiveness are especially affecting the mid-to-lower table teams, who are forced to defend more than attack.

Strikers in crisis: midfielders and wingers dominate the scoring charts

Another warning sign comes from the top scorers list, where the absence of great strikers is evident. Leading the way are Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter) and Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna) — two players who, by their characteristics, are not pure strikers.

Behind them, the situation doesn't change: Christian Pulisic, Nico Paz, Zambo Anguissa, and Kevin De Bruyne — all midfielders or attacking wingers — occupy the next spots. The only true center forward among the top scorers is Federico Bonazzoli of Cremonese, with four goals to his name.

A clear signal: traditional strikers are struggling, squeezed by increasingly structured tactical systems, where goals often come from second lines or set-piece situations.

Analysis: a more tactical than spectacular league

The statistics speak of a Serie A that is more defensive than spectacular, where tactical strategies and balance management have taken precedence over unpredictability. Coaches are seeking security, even at the cost of sacrificing aesthetics and offensive boldness.

The first nine matchdays tell the story of a balanced tournament, but one lacking in excitement: many draws, few goals, and many matches decided by episodes or mistakes. The result is a record-breaking league – but not in the best sense of the word.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.