Marseille lost their first three meetings with Ajax in European competition, but have since gone unbeaten across the last five (W3 D2), most recently beating them in November 2023 (4-3 in the UEFA Europa League).

Marseille and Ajax were drawn together in the group stage of a major European competition as recently as 2023-24, in the UEFA Europa League. Their two meetings that season produced a total of 13 goals (7 Marseille, 6 Ajax), 64 shots, and 33 shots on target – all of which were the most in any fixture in this group stage.

Marseille have only lost one of their last eight home matches against Dutch sides in European competition (W5 D2), with that lone defeat coming against FC Twente in the UEFA Cup in 2008-09 (0-1), and going unbeaten in four since then (W3 D1).

Across the eight meetings between Marseille and Ajax in European competition, there have been a total of 34 goals scored (15 Marseille, 19 Ajax), at an average of 4.25 per game. Indeed, both teams have scored in all but one of their eight clashes to date, with the only exception being a 3-0 win for Ajax in the Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final first leg in 1987-88.

Following defeat to Real Madrid last time out, Marseille have now lost 19 of their last 22 games in the UEFA Champions League (W3), while only keeping one clean sheet across those 22 outings (2-0 v Sporting CP in October 2022).

Since winning six consecutive UEFA Champions League matches under Erik ten Hag between September and December 2021, Ajax have only won two of their last nine games in the competition, losing six of those (D1). They last lost their opening two games in a single edition in 2012-13 (v Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid).

Marseille faced 28 shots and 15 on target in their defeat to Real Madrid on MD1; both of which are the most they’ve faced in a UEFA Champions League match on record (since 2003-04). Indeed, they only conceded five more shots on target in the entirety of the group stage in their previous Champions League campaign (20 in six games in 2022-23).

Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli made 13 saves in their previous UEFA Champions League game, away to Real Madrid in their tournament opener. This was the most by any goalkeeper across this season’s opening matchday, while only Nikita Haikin (2.2) prevented more goals than Rulli (1.7), based on the xG of shots on target faced (two conceded from 3.7 xGoT).

In Marseille’s loss at Real Madrid on MD1, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg led all starters for Roberto De Zerbi’s side for completed passes (82), line-breaking passes (14) and pass accuracy (96.5% - 82/85), as well as creating the most chances for his team (4).

Since the start of last season, Ajax’s Oscar Gloukh (3.2) is one of only five players who have averaged 3+ completed dribbles per 90 in the UEFA Champions League (min. 500 minutes played), along with Lamine Yamal, Rafael Leão, Francisco Conceição and Kenan Yildiz.