Olympique de Marseille – Ajax: Igor Paixão leads marauding Marseille (4-0)

Olympique de Marseille were at their marauding best as they demolished Ajax at the Stade Vélodrome. The last time these two teams met, they played out a thrilling and evenly matched 3-3 draw, but there would be nothing even about their reunion, as Igor Paixão led Marseille to victory. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Nick Hartland.

After defeating Paris Saint-Germain and RC Strasbourg Alsace, Olympique de Marseille were looking to bring their run of good form in Ligue 1 into the UEFA Champions League. The 1992 winners had fallen short against Real Madrid in their opening match in the competition, but in front of a packed Stade Vélodrome, they were bristling with confidence as they returned to the European stage. 

Last season ended in heartbreak for Ajax, who looked as if they were set to win a record-breaking 37th Eredivisie title. However, the side would drop ten points in their last four fixtures to hand rivals PSV the trophy. Head coach Francesco Farioli stepped down in the aftermath, with former player John Heitinga taking over. Start to life under the new man has been mixed with four wins and three draws in the league and a loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League. 

Roberto De Zerbi lined his Marseille side up in his preferred 4-2-3-1 shape. Gerónimo Rulli was in goal behind a defense of Emerson Palmieri, Facundo Medina, Nayef Aguerd, and Benjamin Pavard. In midfield, Arthur Vermeeren and Matt O’Riley. Bilal Nadir as the number 10 with Igor Paixão and Mason Greenwood on the wings. Up front, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 

Heitinga went with the . . .