UEFA Champions League League Stage - 2
Marseille 4 - 0 FT Ajax
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
6' I. Paixao (P. Aubameyang)
12' I. Paixao (A. Vermeeren)
↓ Y. Regeer ↑J. Mokio 23'
26' M. Greenwood (P. Aubameyang)
Lucas Rosa 34'
36' ↓ F. Medina ↑C. Egan-Riley
HT
46' ↓ B. Nadir ↑T. Weah
↓ S. Berghuis ↑O. Edvardsen 46'
52' P. Aubameyang (I. Paixao)
↓ O. Wijndal ↑A. Gaaei 55'
↓ Y. Baas ↑J. Sutalo 55'
62' ↓ I. Paixao ↑A. Gomes
62' ↓ M. O'Riley ↑P. Hojbjerg
Ko Itakura 66'
Anton Gaaei 76'
82' ↓ A. Vermeeren ↑M. Murillo
↓ M. Godts ↑R. Moro 84'
88' Nayef Aguerd
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Marseille
Goalkeepers
G. Rulli 
MAGNET
52
Activity
52
Activity
52
Passes
0
Duels
Defenders
Midfielders
M. O'Riley 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
62
Entry
A. Vermeeren 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7
Rating
M. Greenwood 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
4
Shots
8.2
Rating
B. Nadir
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
I. Paixao 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
2
On Target
9.7
Rating
Forwards
P. Aubameyang 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
BENCH
J. De Lange 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
J. Van Neck
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
C. Egan-Riley
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Balerdi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Murillo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Gomes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Hojbjerg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Gouiri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Weah
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Vaz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ajax
Goalkeepers
V. Jaros 
SIEVE
33%
Save %
33%
Save %
4
Conceded
2
Saves
Defenders
L. Rosa 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
49%
Pass Acc
K. Itakura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Baas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
55
Total Mins
55
Entry
O. Wijndal
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
55
Total Mins
55
Entry
Midfielders
D. Klaassen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Regeer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
23
Entry
K. Taylor 
PROVOCATEUR
5
Fouls Won
5
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
S. Berghuis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
O. Gloukh
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Godts
LATE SHIFT
6
Late Mins
6
Late Mins
84
Total Mins
84
Entry
BENCH
R. Pasveer
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Gaaei 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
J. Mokio 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
73%
Duel Win %
J. Sutalo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
35
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Alders
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Fitz-Jim
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Moro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Edvardsen
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
D. Konadu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Bounida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Reverson
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30/11/2023 | Marseille | 4 - 3 | Ajax | UEFA Europa League | Orange Vélodrome |
| 21/09/2023 | Ajax | 3 - 3 | Marseille | UEFA Europa League | Johan Cruijff Arena |
Marseille Win
Ajax Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -5
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +19
P: 8 GD: +14
P: 8 GD: +12
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +9
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -13
P: 8 GD: -11
P: 8 GD: -14
P: 8 GD: -13
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Paixão's Two-Goal Masterclass Sends Ajax to the Canvas at Orange Vélodrome
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 32/100. This wasn't a match—it was a statement. Marseille dismantled Ajax 4-0 to announce their Champions League credentials, while the visitors face an existential reckoning after two consecutive blanks.
Paixão Sets the Tone in Six Minutes
Igor Paixão didn't wait for permission. The Marseille midfielder struck in the sixth minute, finishing a crisp assist from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to ignite the Orange Vélodrome. Six minutes later, Paixão was at it again—this time fed by Amadou Vermeeren—to make it 2-0 before Ajax had even caught their breath. The Intensity was suffocating. By the 26th minute, Mason Greenwood had added a third, Aubameyang's assist providing the architect's touch once more. The Stakes had shifted from a contest to a coronation.
Ajax's Possession Illusion
Ajax held 52% possession and fired 13 shots—yet only two found the target. They dominated the ball but lacked the clinical edge that separates pretenders from contenders. Marseille's surgical efficiency told the story: 9 shots, 6 on target, 4 goals. The visitors' xG of 0.80 versus Marseille's 1.13 exposed the gulf in quality. By the 52nd minute, Aubameyang capped a dominant display with a goal of his own, Paixão returning the favour with the assist. Ajax had nothing left but despair and the growing certainty that their European campaign was already in freefall. Two matches, zero goals, minus-six goal difference. The Balance had been brutally restored.
A Statement from the South
Marseille's performance wasn't just about the scoreline—it was about control, precision, and predatory finishing. Paixão's rating of 9.7 reflected a midfielder operating at another level entirely. Aubameyang's 8.9 showed a striker who had transcended mere goalscoring to become the team's creative hub. Greenwood's 8.2 underscored the depth of Marseille's attacking arsenal. Ajax manager Frank de Boer faces an inquest: how does a club with such pedigree produce such anaemic performances in Europe's premier competition?
Key Questions
What made Igor Paixão the Man of the Match?
Two goals, one assist, and relentless movement. Paixão dictated the tempo from minute one, finishing with clinical precision and providing the creative spark Marseille needed.
Can Ajax recover from this European collapse?
Unlikely. Zero goals in two matches suggests structural problems, not bad luck. Their next fixture becomes a must-win just to avoid elimination.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Continental Survival on the Line at the Vélodrome
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 6/100. A high-stakes clash between two struggling giants where defeat could effectively end knockout stage hopes for the visitors.
The Setup
As the Champions League league stage enters its second round on September 30, 2025, the pressure is already mounting on Marseille and Ajax. Playing at the Orange Vélodrome, the home side currently occupies 16th place—firmly within the playoff hunt but lacking the consistency to feel safe. Their Form has been a rollercoaster of results, but they remain far ahead of an Ajax side that has collapsed to 34th in the standings. For the Dutch giants, the Stakes couldn't be higher; after five losses in their last six matches across all competitions, their Balance is completely fractured.
Key Battle
With no individual stars dominating the statistical charts, this match will be decided in the transition phase. The Marseille midfield will look to exploit Ajax's fragile back line, which has already conceded 18 goals this term. The battle centers on whether the visitors can regain their defensive Equilibrio against a home side that thrives on the chaotic energy of their own fans. If the home unit can disrupt Ajax's rhythm early, the visitors' lack of confidence will likely lead to structural collapse.
Our Prediction
Marseille should capitalize on the hostile atmosphere and Ajax's defensive woes. Expect the home side to dominate possession and pressure the Dutch side into errors near their own box. While Ajax may find a breakthrough on the counter, the sheer weight of their poor Form suggests a 2-1 victory for Marseille, pushing them closer to the top-8 direct qualification spots while leaving Ajax stranded at the bottom of the table.