Barely a few months ago, he was the Savior, the providential man who had given a smile to a whole stadium. Today, he gnaws at his brake on the bench, without really understanding why.
When he landed in Marseille last January, Amine Gouiri won everything in her path. Landed by Rennes for 22 million euros, in a few weeks he became the OM attack leader. Ten goals, three assists, a constant influence … He was the great craftsman of qualifying in the Champions League, a real ray of sunshine in a season that could have turned badly. Six months later, the sky was brutally darkened.
Gouiri, heroes with simple lining
The return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has rebatted all the cards. And it is Gouiri who pays the high price. Since the start of the season, the former Rennais has been relegated to the bench, obtaining only one tenure in three days. Worse, during the shock against Lyon, he did not even play the slightest minute. A real cold shower for a player who, on paper, has nothing to blame himself for. There was no clash, no drop in spectacular shape. Just a decision of the coach.
Roberto de Zerbi has tried to justify his choice by evoking an insufficient physical form, but the explanation struggles to convince. How can such a decisive player disappear from radars so quickly? It is a classic scenario in high -level football: the competition is ruthless, and the statutes of yesterday guarantee nothing for today. But the situation has something ungrateful, almost unjust.
Gouiri, the forgotten hero of OM
The selection to relaunch?
For the moment, Amine Gouiri is making her back. He says nothing, works, and awaits his time. His professionalism is rented, but the shadow of Aubameyang, author of two goals in three games, hovers above him. The situation is all the more frustrating since Zerbi himself said he saw the two attackers playing together. A promise which, for the moment, has not been held.
The international truce may come to the best moments. Non -indisputable holder with Algeria, Gouiri will be able to get the mind, find playing time and, above all, confidence. A puff of oxygen required before returning to Marseille to fight for its place. Because talent is there, no one doubts it. But in football, the hardest part is not to arrive at the top. It's staying there. And Amine Gouiri is learning him at his expense.
