Amine Gouiri was left out of Marseille’s squad during their 1-0 defeat to Lyon, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi attributing the decision to fitness concerns.
The Algerian forward, who had been a regular starter throughout the second half of last season, has experienced a difficult start to the new campaign.
Gouiri, 25, remained an unused substitute against his former club, despite Marseille playing with ten men for much of the match.
De Zerbi later addressed his reasoning, emphasising that Gouiri’s exclusion was purely a physical decision rather than a reflection on his form or future role at the club.
“If Amine didn’t play, it was a physical choice,” De Zerbi explained. “I didn’t see him in top condition this week. That happens; you can’t always be at your best physically. I felt Aubameyang,
Traoré and Nadir could offer us more. The red card disrupted our plans, but I opted for Robinio Vaz because I believed his pace would help us attack the space better and give us a chance to win.”
Gouiri’s reduced playing time marks a stark contrast to last season, when he was a pivotal figure under De Zerbi’s management. Despite assurances from the coach that Gouiri would be deployed as a central striker, the forward has been shifted across multiple attacking roles this season, including playing on the left, in a deeper number 10 position, and as a secondary striker.
This tactical uncertainty has raised questions among supporters about Marseille’s attacking strategy, especially as the team continues to undergo significant changes under president Pablo Longoria’s leadership.
Longoria’s approach has seen frequent player movement, with Marseille’s squad resembling a revolving door of arrivals and departures.
While rumours of a possible transfer have been dismissed with the window nearing its close, Gouiri’s situation highlights the broader challenges facing Marseille as they attempt to stabilise their attack.
De Zerbi, known for his fluid tactical setups, has yet to settle on a consistent role for his number nine, adding to speculation over whether Gouiri can recapture the form that made him one of Ligue 1’s standout performers in recent months.
For now, Gouiri will remain a key figure in Marseille’s plans, but the forward will be hoping to regain his place in the starting eleven quickly. With the season still in its early stages, De Zerbi’s decisions will continue to face scrutiny as Marseille look to recover from their defeat and maintain momentum in their domestic campaign.
