Amine Gouiri’s impressive form continued as the Algerian international netted his eighth goal of the campaign in Marseille’s 1-1 draw against Lille, a result overshadowed by a costly error from goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli on Sunday evening.
Marseille, dominant for large stretches of the match, took a deserved lead in the 57th minute when Gouiri latched onto a precise pass from Adrien Rabiot before calmly finishing past Lucas Chevalier.
It was a moment of sharp attacking play that underlined the growing confidence of Roberto De Zerbi’s side as they chase Champions League qualification.
Speaking after the match, De Zerbi was full of praise for his January signing, who has now firmly established himself as the focal point of Marseille’s attack.
“I think he’s beginning to understand the number 9 he wears,” the Italian coach said. “He’s the blueprint for the modern striker – he scores goals, takes on defenders, moves with intelligence.
He’s a complete player and an exceptional person as well.”
Gouiri’s development since his mid-season arrival has been one of the standout stories of Marseille’s campaign.
His combination of technical flair, movement, and composure in front of goal has quickly endeared him to both his manager and the club’s supporters.
However, what had been shaping up to be a vital victory took an unfortunate turn in the 74th minute. Rulli, attempting to play the ball out from the back, misjudged his pass under pressure, allowing Jonathan David to intercept and square the ball for Matias Fernandez-Pardo to slot home the equalizer. It was a moment of hesitation that proved costly.
De Zerbi, though clearly disappointed by the error, refused to single out his goalkeeper for criticism. “It was a foolish goal, but this is football,” he admitted.
“Had Rulli chosen the simple option, we would have avoided the danger. Still, I’m proud of him – we are second in the league partly because of his performances. Mistakes are part of the journey.”
Despite dropping two points at home, De Zerbi maintained a sense of calm and belief in his team’s direction. “We’ve been a different Marseille since the match in Rome.
The mood, the spirit, everything has changed. It’s not about systems, it’s about mentality. That’s what drives people forward.”
With Paris Saint-Germain leading the table, Marseille remain second with 59 points. But with Monaco, Nice, and Lille all within striking distance, the margin for error has narrowed considerably.
Marseille’s final two league fixtures – away to Le Havre and at home to Rennes – will now carry added weight as they look to secure a top-two finish and return to the Champions League.
Gouiri’s blistering form could prove decisive. If he maintains this level in the closing matches, he may well fire Marseille back onto Europe’s biggest stage and cement his status as the club’s newest star in a long line of attacking greats.
🗣️ Roberto De Zerbi sur Amine Gouiri : « Je pense qu’il commence à se rendre compte de ce numéro 9 qu’il porte sur les épaules. Il est le prototype du numéro 9, il marque, il dribble, il se déplace bien, c’est un joueur complet et une très bonne personne à la fois » #LOSCOM… pic.twitter.com/Zwjv54KXMz
— Josué Cassé (@CasseJosue) May 4, 2025
