Arriving in January 2025, Amine Gouiri quickly established himself at Olympique de Marseille thanks to a very convincing second half of the season, notably scoring 10 goals in 14 Ligue 1 matches. This performance earned him the trust of Roberto De Zerbi, who now considers him his key striker. However, this setup is now challenged by the spectacular return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who chose to come back to OM after a season in Saudi Arabia where he scored 21 goals in 36 matches.
The competition for the number 9 position is therefore more intense than ever. Damien Perquis clearly expressed his stance: Gouiri deserves to start the season given his recent form and contribution to the team, but Aubameyang’s experience remains a significant asset for decisive phases, especially in the Champions League. According to Perquis, Aubameyang should play a backup role, ready to change the course of matches by coming on late.
On the pitch, Gouiri has already shown his abilities during the preseason, with a remarkable performance against Aston Villa where he scored twice and confirmed his status as a key player. At 25, he embodies a new generation ready to assert itself, while Aubameyang, at 36 years old, maintains his level through his speed and technical quality, refusing to settle for a secondary role. This duality promises a healthy competition for Marseille’s attack, with potential complementarity according to Aubameyang himself, who sees their coexistence as a collective lever rather than a mere rivalry.
Beyond the pitch, this battle symbolizes the dynamism of Marseille’s project with a duo of attackers having very different but complementary profiles. De Zerbi thus has rich tactical options, balancing Gouiri’s youthful eagerness with Aubameyang’s tactical and physical experience. Fans, for their part, can look forward to seeing these two players push each other towards excellence in a crucial season for OM both nationally and in Europe.