Moroccan international Nayef Aguerd steers Marseille to resounding victory over Ajax

Olympique de Marseille reignited their Champions League campaign on Tuesday evening with a commanding 4-0 win over Ajax Amsterdam at the Vélodrome.

After narrowly losing to Real Madrid two weeks earlier, the French side produced a display of ruthless efficiency to register their first points in Group D.

Moroccan international Nayef Aguerd anchored a solid defensive performance, while Brazilian forward Igor Paixão inspired the attacking charge with two goals and an assist.

The breakthrough arrived as early as the sixth minute, setting the tone for a night in which Roberto De Zerbi’s men controlled proceedings from start to finish.

Paixão’s early strike calmed any nerves and his second, combined with his creative spark, underlined his growing influence in Marseille’s revamped front line.

England’s Mason Greenwood added a third goal before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed the rout, capping an evening of collective efficiency and individual brilliance.

De Zerbi had made surprise selections, handing opportunities to Arthur Vermeeren and Bilal Nadir, yet his team showed no signs of hesitation.

Marseille punished Ajax on their first real chances, taking a clinical edge into half-time and maintaining relentless pressure after the break.

Two of their goals stemmed directly from Ajax turnovers, exposing the Dutch club’s fragility in possession and lack of defensive organisation.

While the visitors enjoyed moments of territorial play, their final-third execution was poor, and they rarely troubled Aguerd and his fellow defenders.

For Marseille, the match showcased the balance De Zerbi has been striving for: a robust back line led by Aguerd, a creative midfield and a forward line capable of turning minimal opportunities into goals.

The emphatic result comes at a pivotal moment for the French side, who had left the Santiago Bernabéu empty-handed despite a valiant performance in their opening fixture.

This time, they made no mistake. The Vélodrome crowd roared its approval as their team moved from spirited contenders to convincing winners on the European stage.

Marseille now look ahead to their third group-stage encounter against Sporting Portugal on 22 October, buoyed by a performance that felt like a statement of intent.

For Aguerd and his teammates, it was a night when ambition met execution, and a Champions League campaign truly began to take shape.