The omens were anything but good ahead of the game at both Ajax Amsterdam and Olympique Marseille. While Ajax are under fire after a weak start to the season (four games, five points) alongside coach Maurice Steijn and sporting director Sven Mislintat due to the composition of the squad and a possible conflict of interest in the transfer of Sosa, Marseille coach Marcelino only resigned from his post on Wednesday after fan threats.
Goalkeeper Gorter makes it 1-0
For the away game in the European Cup, Jacques Abardonado took over as interim coach at OM. However, the native of Marseillais, who played for 2008. FC Nürnberg for half a year in 1, had to watch as his team got off to a false start. Ajax took control from the start and took the lead through Forbs (9th) after a blunder by Mbemba, who jumped through under a long strike from Gorter.
Ajax centre-back Sutalo also made a mistake shortly afterwards, putting Aubameyang in a one-on-one situation, but the Gabonese tried a chip and missed (19th). That was to take revenge: After Lopez had initially saved against Taylor in the OM goal, it was Berghuis who was able to slide in freely from 15 meters to make it 2-0 in the subsequent corner (20th).
But a little later it was the former Bielefeld Clauss who prevailed in the penalty area after an assist from ex-Schalke player Harit and made the connection (23rd). Taylor had the chance to answer quickly (23rd), but then Marseille was suddenly the better team. Ndiaye failed to hit the crossbar (29th), but before the break Aubameyang – again after Harit’s assist – equalised (38th). OM almost turned the game around, but Ounahi failed twice to Gorter (40/45+3).
Ajax score early again
Even after the change of sides, the offensive lines did not press the brakes. Once again, it was the Amsterdammers who scored the early goal. When Forbs came in, the OM defence completely lost sight of Taylor, who easily slotted in (52nd).
Ajax became more active again after the goal, but the next big chance was still for the guests. However, Aubameyang missed from close range (61). Shortly afterwards, however, goalkeeper Lopez had to save against Bergwijn after another mistake by Mbemba (67th).
The parade breathed life back into the game of the French, who from then on became more offensive again – and rewarded themselves. Aubameyang scored his second goal of the day to make it 3-3 (78th).
From then on, Ajax stood a little deeper, relied more on counterattacks, but still had the next big chance. However, Taylor, who was once again forgotten in the back area, put his shot over (90th).
Ounahi misses out on a late lead
Shortly afterwards, Ajax youngster Vos, who came on as a substitute at half-time, flew off the pitch with yellow and red. OM thus had about five minutes in the majority to turn the game around. In the final moves of the game, it was Ounahi who came close again, but Gorter deflected his shot over the bar from 20 yards and saved the point (90+6).
In a game in which both teams offered a lot offensively, but were always vulnerable defensively, both teams should be able to live with the ultimately quite fair point – especially because Brighton, supposedly the biggest competitor in Group B, blundered against AEK Athens (2:3).
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