Amine Gouiri has quickly established himself as a key player for Olympique de Marseille, delivering another standout performance in the club’s 2-0 victory over FC Nantes on Sunday.
The Algerian international opened the scoring, further solidifying his impact since joining from Stade Rennais during the winter transfer window.
With three goals and three assists in just five appearances, Gouiri is proving to be a vital attacking asset for Marseille.
Under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, the 24-year-old has found himself in a role that maximizes his strengths, and he is relishing the opportunity to develop further.
De Zerbi’s vision for Gouiri
After the match, Gouiri spoke about the influence De Zerbi has had on his game, highlighting the Italian manager’s belief in his potential.
“I’ve been trained as a number nine since I was young, but I’ve played in different positions over the years. Now, the coach wants me to return to my natural role, but with the freedom to drop deep and contribute to the build-up,” Gouiri explained.
De Zerbi, known for his attacking philosophy, has placed significant trust in Gouiri’s ability to lead the Marseille frontline.
The forward revealed that the coach has even drawn a comparison to a former world-class striker.
He told me that I remind him of Higuaín. He wants me to improve and become one of the best strikers in Europe.
That’s very motivating, and I want to keep progressing,” he added.
Enjoying his new role
Gouiri’s move to Marseille has given him the platform to showcase his full potential.
Playing in a system that prioritizes possession and attacking movement, he believes he is in the right environment to flourish.
I knew that at Marseille, I would have plenty of chances to score and contribute to the team.
This is a side that plays with an attacking mindset, and I’m enjoying myself.
Now, I need to improve in areas like defensive work, movement in behind, and being consistently decisive,” he said.
With Marseille fighting to secure European qualification, Gouiri’s performances could be instrumental in their success.
If his rapid adaptation under De Zerbi is anything to go by, he may well be on his way to becoming one of the most dangerous forwards in Ligue 1.
