OM – De Zerbi: "Gouiri is unique, you can't replace him" | OneFootball

De Zerbi laments the absence of Amine Gouiri

OM – De Zerbi: "Gouiri is unique, you can't replace him"

It’s a major setback no one saw coming. Injured while on duty with the Algerian national team last October, Amine Gouiri is enduring a frustrating spell away from the pitch. The Olympique de Marseille striker, who underwent surgery on October 21 for a recurring dislocation of his right shoulder, won’t be back in action for several months. The announcement, confirmed by Roberto De Zerbi in a press conference, has dashed hopes of a rapid return before the end of the year.

De Zerbi remains confident

The Italian manager, who considers Gouiri a key part of his tactical setup, was quick to reaffirm his faith in his striker.

he stated, adding that he has no intention of searching for a like-for-like replacement. The Marseille boss is determined to keep building a team ready to fully reintegrate the Algerian when he returns.

Before his injury, Gouiri was finally starting to find his rhythm in the Olympian shirt. Scoring and providing an assist in the 3-0 win over Metz, he once again showcased his full technical range and vision. His prolonged absence is a real blow for OM, who are already searching for more attacking consistency. If everything goes according to plan, the forward should make his comeback at the very start of 2026, aiming to reclaim his role as a key figure in Marseille’s system—and perhaps even stake a claim for Vladimir Petkovic’s 2026 World Cup squad.