Amine Gouiri: "I want to put OM back among Europe's best clubs"

Having arrived in Marseille on Friday, Amine Gouiri already knows the fervour of the Vélodrome. The Algerian striker played a part in the 3-2 win in the Olympico on Sunday. The number 9 was decisive off the bench, too, with an assist. He spoke about a dream debut. "I arrived on Friday, I'd only had one and a half training sessions before playing a crucial match, against the club where I developed. We won the Olympico, with a crazy atmosphere. I'm very happy", he says first, before revealing the behind-the-scenes story of his arrival. "There were contacts in January, it was a good opportunity with an ambitious project. I want to put OM back among the best clubs in Europe. It's a huge club, I knew I'd be stepping up a level by coming here. I spoke with Mehdi Benatia and the president, the project appeals to me because it has ambition. I'm a winner."

Marseille and Algeria, the same feeling

Amine Gouiri also spoke about the influence Roberto De Zerbi had on his decision. "He's a coach who had been following me since Nice, he talks football. His philosophy matches what I'm looking for. He wants me in the number 9 role, he wants me to be involved in the play, but also to be in the box, based on my qualities, which he knows very well. And to enjoy myself (…) I'm still a young player, it's the perfect club to progress and finally find consistency".

Amine Gouiri was also frank about his time at Rennes, before pointing out the similarities between Marseille and Algeria, whose colours he also wears. "I only keep the positives, I've progressed enormously. There were good moments and less good ones. I spoke a lot with Mandanda, he only had good things to say about OM (…) But it's true that there are strong links between Algeria and Marseille, that weighed heavily. Yesterday's atmosphere reminds me of the national team. It warmed my heart to see the Algerian flags and it's going to help me a lot." Amine Gouiri can already savour his arrival.