On the pitch and in terms of accounts, everything is going well at OM. Winner of Le Havre this Saturday at the VĂ©lodrome (6-2), the Marseille club took control of the elite the day after the draw between PSG and Strasbourg (3-3). However, some bad news tarnished the Olympians' weekend: the planned operation of Amine Gouiri, injured in a shoulder and unavailable for the next three months.
The blow is tough, obviously, and OM has to wonder about the necessary adaptation to this pitfall. With all the more bitterness as the Algerian striker, credited with a difficult start to the season, had regained confidence and found his way to goal just before the international break in October. In his offensive rotation, up front, Roberto De Zerbi currently uses two players in addition to Amine Gouiri: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robinio Vaz.
The latter again made a remarkable entry into play on Saturday against the HAC. So the OM coach sees himself finishing the year with the means at hand. “The transfer window is in January and Robinio is ready. I am not a coach who chooses a player based on his CV. With playing time, the young people improve,” said Roberto De Zerbi at a press conference after the match.
De Zerbi has resources
Given the circumstances, OM has the possibility of recruiting a joker outside the transfer window. The regulations of the Professional Football League authorize this – within the limit of one player per club – provided that the player already plays in France. However, the Marseille strategist could not have been more clear on the subject. By listing the list of its potential alternatives.
“For now, we have “Auba” and Robinio. Soon, we will have the return of Hamed Traoré who can play up front. Mason (Greenwood, editor's note) can also play central striker. It's really unfortunate for Gouiri, who is a unique player with unique qualities. But I am not angry with the Algerian selection because it is an injury of traumatic origin and that is part of football…”
