Roller coasters. This summer, Mattéo Guendouzi went through all the states. Pushed towards the exit, the French midfielder wanted to stay at Olympique de Marseille. A club with which he fell in love and for which he tried somehow to wet the jersey. But the arrival of Igor Tudor did not help the Frenchman, who saw his playing time reduced. Courted last winter, notably by Aston Villa, he had decided to stay. Six months later, he passed away fresh off a nightmarish night in the Champions League third qualifying round against Panathinaikos on August 15.
A difficult end to OM
Entering the game in the 68th while OM were leading 2-0, the former Arsenal player, who could have benefited from a penalty on an action, was guilty of a handball in his own area. This allowed the Greeks to equalize and hang the extension. Then, during the penalty shootout, he missed his shot against Brignoli. A dark evening for Guendouzi, who then had his last match at the Orange Vélodrome against Brest on August 26. Then, OM and Lazio agreed on his loan with an option to buy. A new start for the tricolor international who has played in Ligue 1, the Premier League and the Bundesliga.
And so it was in Serie A that he wanted to pursue his career. An obvious choice for the player who confided: “The coach was decisive for my choice. I will grow a lot.” Desired by Maurizio Sarri, the environment actually has everything to flourish, he who also quickly put everyone in his pocket. Entering the game 26 minutes against Naples, Guendouzi brought his passion, his aggressiveness and his technical qualities. Even if we have to remain measured since he only played a few minutes, the Italian press is already racing. This is the case ofIl Messaggero
The Italian press is unanimous
“Lazio is already under the spell of Mattéo Guendouzi. The former OM midfielder made a convincing and decisive entry against Napoli (1-2). He has a leadership personality, the stride of a very pure diamond. It occupies time and space, gives oxygen and balance. A perfect recruit. Maurizio Sarri was right to want Guendouzi at all costs. It was the missing piece in the middle (…) How to do without it against Juventus? Since the arrival of Lucas Leiva, no rookie had had this immediate impact. Rave comments that the French will appreciate.
But they are not the only ones. THE Corriere dello Sport explains that he won everyone over with his personality and charisma. The Italian media added in its edition of the day: “Guendouzi came in and tamed Maradona’s arena. He made his debut as best he could (…) Napoli midfielders and defenders were his hostages, he targeted them and attacked them. He’s been seen as a mess in England, other people’s nerves boil over when they meet him. The temptation to align Guendouzi in Turin will be strong.
Maurizio Sarri loves it
La Repubblicawhose writings are relayed by Eurosportalso fell in love with the former OM. “It’s the Guendouzi mania at Lazio. It only took about 30 minutes for the tifosi to detonate the “Guendouzite”. The player’s impact against Napoli exceeded all expectations. Warrior and brawler spirit: his profile has everything to make any tifoso fall in love. And it’s not just the press that’s crazy about him. Maurizio Sarri, the man who pushed to recruit him, is seduced.
“He’s a very intense player. He has good defensive qualities, which can be useful. He is a player with a great personality. He only trained twice and it was like he had been in the group for a long time already. He has a strong personality. Constantly bringing in new players is complicated, our game is very collective. The integration of Mattéo Guendouzi has been accelerated. After difficult weeks at Olympique de Marseille, Mattéo Guendouzi seems to be smiling again in Rome, he who still has the Blues in mind. In the meantime, he is living his new sky-blue dream to the fullest.
