Oussama el-Azzouzi shines in Auxerre midfield after injury woes | OneFootball

Oussama el-Azzouzi has finally put his fitness issues behind him, earning a regular place in Auxerre’s XI and helping spark an upturn before Lille visit on Sunday at 17:15.

According to L'Équipe, the 24-year-old Morocco international, on loan from Bologna without an option to buy, scored his first Ligue 1 goal in last Sunday’s 3-1 win over Metz, finishing a move that began on the left and featured one-twos with Danny Namaso and twice with Sékou Mara. After thigh, neck and ankle problems in August, September and November, he has strung together the last three matches almost in full, seven appearances and 463 minutes this season.

Used as a balancing sentinel in the 4-3-3 adopted by Christophe Pelissier over the past four games, he has been central to AJA’s rise to 16th, moving off the bottom. Born in Veenendaal, he played there until 17 before continuing his development at Groningen from 2018 to 2021.

Pelissier values his reading of the game, front-foot defending and calmness under pressure, along with crisp passing, ball-carrying and a threat to score. The coach also notes a positive edge to his on-pitch vocal demands, which spreads a competitive streak through the side.

Former Union Saint-Gilloise team-mate Teddy Teuma recalls a quick adaptation from Emmen and highlights his fierce competitiveness, ball-winning and tidy distribution, describing a selfless worker with an exemplary attitude who fits seamlessly into a group.

Given last season’s serious knee injury in Italy, which limited him to 25 minutes across three outings despite Bologna lifting the Cup, Pelissier is treading carefully. Training loads are tailored, he does not complete every session, with the aim of building him towards optimal condition and hoping it lasts.

Source: L'Équipe