The hard blow caused by Amine Gouiri's injury had plunged OM into a phase of offensive uncertainty. Deprived of one of his most creative men, Roberto De Zerbi saw his game plan unbalanced, forced to improvise between Robinio Vaz and Aubameyang to maintain an effective presence in the area. However, at the heart of this delicate period, good news is finally emerging from the Commanderie.
The return of an unexpected reinforcement for OM
No miracle recruit, no transfer window bet: the solution comes from within. According to
ProvenceHamed Junior Traoré, away from the field for several weeks, is finally ready to return to collective training. Recruited this summer but hampered by a muscle injury, the Ivorian attacking midfielder is preparing to resume his place in the group. A boon for De Zerbi, who sees in him a profile capable of occupying several offensive positions, from the left lane to the center.
The former Bournemouth and Sassuolo player had already hinted at his potential before his injury. His remarkable entry against Lyon, despite the defeat, highlighted his technical accuracy and his ability to break the lines. De Zerbi, who had already managed him in Serie A, knows that he has a player capable of bringing rhythm and creativity to a team that is sometimes too predictable.
A profile cut to fill the void
“He can double or animate the four offensive positions: winger, leader and center forward”reminds Provence. In other words, a complete joker, valuable in a Marseille rotation weakened by absences. With Gouiri recovering for several months, Traoré represents much more than a stopgap option: he is a real tactical asset, capable of smoothing transitions and offering new offensive combinations.
For De Zerbi, this reintegration comes at the right time. The Italian coach has never hidden his admiration for Traoré's hybrid profile, both hardworking and inspired. His return restores depth to a squad which is still seeking its balance between pressing and creativity.
A blessing before a busy schedule
In a month of November marked by a series of shocks in Ligue 1 and in Europe, OM needed this new lease of life. The return of Traoré could reshuffle the cards in attack, especially if certain executives, like Igor Paixão or Aubameyang, struggle to regain their consistency.
Supporters are now waiting to see if the Ivorian will be able to fill the void left by Gouiri. One thing is certain: Roberto De Zerbi finally has his internal solution, the one which could revive the Marseille dynamic and give his team the offensive variety it lacked so much.
