Marseille: Amine Harit, the revival
Amine Harit is back to his best. The Moroccan is dazzling and taking charge of Marseille's play
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Olympique de Marseille won on Sunday 08 October against Le Havre (3-0). It was a small landmark, as Marseille had not won since 26 August. A run of six games without a win has therefore come to an end. And this success owed a great deal to Amine Harit. The Moroccan, deployed behind Aubameyang, simply shone. He also set up the Gabonese with an assist after a run only he can produce. The crowd were not mistaken either, giving him a warm ovation as he went off a few minutes from time. His match stats: 79 minutes played, 76 touches, 58 passes (91% accuracy), 4 key passes, 45% of duels won, 4 recoveries, 5 fouls won, 1 assist. His understanding with Iliman Ndiaye was also a talking point on social media.
Gennaro Gattuso, who was full of praise for Amine Harit at his pre-match press conference, was just as effusive after the performance of his attacking midfielder. "Amine Harit is a player who can give us an advantage anywhere, he has technical and tactical intelligence. And it's the quality of his first touch that makes the difference (…) He's a quiet leader. He talks, follows and reads the game. He's coming back from injury but gives us quality. He can really become a complete player. The fact that he reads the game shows the love he has for his work".
Amine Harit's assist. pic.twitter.com/u0GXe2362W
— Winamax Sport 🔞 (@WinamaxSport) October 8, 2023
A mind of steel
Yet Amine Harit had to work hard, first to get back into the Marseille squad, and then to become an important player again. In November 2022, just when he was in red-hot form, the 26-year-old was cut down by a serious knee injury. It also ruled him out of the 2022 World Cup. But once back in the squad, it didn't take him long to regain playing time. Indeed, he is OM's top provider this season with 5 assists, already his highest total for Marseille in a single season.
Of those 5 assists, Amine Harit has provided 3 in the Europa League: first 2 against Ajax (3-3 draw), then 1 against Brighton (2-2 draw). That makes the former Nantes player the competition's top provider after 2 matchdays. Given Gattuso's comments, Harit should now operate in the heart of the team's play, a chance for him to take the reins. And if he delivers the same performances as against Brighton and Le Havre, he will undoubtedly become the new darling of the Vélodrome.
#Ligue1 🇫🇷: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 🇬🇦 opens his account with a superb chipped finish 😍 pic.twitter.com/4apJzquJBi
— CANAL+ SPORT Afrique (@cplussportafr) October 8, 2023