Olympique Marseille delivered a statement performance in the UEFA Champions League, thrashing Ajax 4–0 in front of a roaring home crowd at the Stade Vélodrome. The result marks Ajax’s heaviest away defeat in Champions League history, eclipsing previous 4–0 losses to Barcelona (2013) and Bayern Munich (2004).
⚽ Early Blitz: Paixão Strikes Twice
Marseille wasted no time asserting dominance. In the 6th minute, a long ball from Nayef Aguerd was flicked on by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, setting up Igor Paixão for a one-on-one finish past Ajax keeper Vítězslav Jaroš.
Just six minutes later, Paixão doubled the lead with a curling strike from outside the box, punishing Ajax’s high defensive line and exposing their lack of midfield cover.
“We knew they’d press high. We exploited the space early,” said Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi.
🔥 Greenwood and Aubameyang Seal the Rout
Marseille’s third came in the 26th minute, when Mason Greenwood latched onto another Aubameyang flick and calmly slotted home. Ajax’s defense was in disarray, and their midfield failed to track runners or close passing lanes.
The fourth goal arrived just after halftime. Following a Marseille free-kick deep in their own half, Aubameyang sprinted the length of the pitch and finished coolly past Jaroš—his seventh goal in four matches against Ajax.
“We were ruthless,” Aubameyang said. “That’s what Champions League nights are about.”
📉 Ajax’s Tactical Collapse
Manager John Heitinga opted for a bold setup, starting Oscar Gloukh as a false nine in the absence of injured strikers Kasper Dolberg and Wout Weghorst. The plan backfired. Ajax’s man-marking system was easily dismantled by Marseille’s vertical passing and movement.
Ajax registered just one shot on target—a speculative 35-yard effort from Steven Berghuis—and failed to create meaningful chances until the final 15 minutes.
“We started well, but they punished every mistake,” Heitinga said. “This is a hard lesson.”
📊 Match Summary
| Scorer | Minute |
|---|---|
| Igor Paixão | 6', 12' |
| Mason Greenwood | 26' |
| Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 52' |
| Stat | Marseille | Ajax |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 48% | 52% |
| Total Shots | 9 | 7 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 1 |
| Goals | 4 | 0 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
| Corners | 0 | 7 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% | 88% |
Despite having less possession and no corners, Marseille’s efficiency in front of goal and defensive discipline made the difference.
🧠 Final Thoughts
This was more than a win—it was a warning. Marseille, often overlooked in Europe’s elite conversation, showed they can dismantle legacy clubs with precision and pace. For Ajax, it’s a sobering moment. The Dutch giants are now winless in the group and face Chelsea next—a fixture that could define Heitinga’s future.
Marseille, meanwhile, surge forward with momentum and belief. And with Paixão and Aubameyang in this form, they’re not just chasing qualification—they’re chasing respect
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