Finally ! Olympique de Marseille has reconciled with the Champions League, and how! In a molten velodrome, which had not celebrated a victory in the queen competition with its supporters since 2012, the Phocaeans have exorcised their demons by spraying an Ajax of Fantomatic Amsterdam (4-0). A party party, a demonstration of force which recalls the great hours spent and which ideally launches a European campaign where OM will not have the right to make mistakes. A Grand Marseille may be born this evening.
Peaceão, the new prince of the velodrome
22 years ago, against Partizan Belgrade, the hero of a similar evening was called Didier Drogba. That of this September 30, 2025 is named Igor Peaceão. The Brazilian winger, expensive recruit from summer to discreet yield so far, has chosen the largest of the evenings to die the screen and justify the hopes placed in him. In six crazy minutes, he capsized the stadium and folded the match. First a dry and precise shot at the point of the post on an Aubameyang service (6th). Then a personal feat, a different full axis and concluded from a new surgical shot (12th). 2-0. Peaceão had just come to Europe, and Marseille may have held his new darling.
OM's demonstration of force in the face of a ghostly Ajax (4-0)
An offensive trio of fire, an exceeded Ajax
But the Brazilian was not the only one to shine. The whole front of the Marseille attack was in tune, in an offensive recital of very high volley. Mason Greenwood, of a clinical finish on a new Aubameyang offering after high recovery, scored the third goal from the 26th minute. And the conductor of the evening, “Aubame”, materialized his performance XXL (two assists) by a goal full of composure at the start of the second period (52nd), served this time by Peaceão and celebrated by his traditional salto. Ajax was exceeded, outclassed, a simple spectator of the Olympian furia.
The daring (and winning) bets of Zerbi
This demonstration is also that of a man: Roberto de Zerbi. The Italian coach, faithful to his principles, had however taken risks by leaving his tauliers in the middle on the bench, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Angel Gomes. A daring bet to launch the young Bilal Nadir and the recruit Arthur Vermeeren. A strong choice, almost “cheeky”, which instilled crazy energy from his team and proved, if necessary, that his entire workforce completely adhered to his play principles. The result and the way a lot of reason.
An almost perfect evening for OM
Almost perfect, because the evening still knew its downside, and it is size: the exit on the injury of the essential defender Facundo Medina (36th), who seemed very touched. It is the only black cloud in a radiant Marseille sky. Because for the rest, OM has done everything well, including managing the end of the match. We noted a quarter of an hour of floating after the fourth goal, where Rulli had to work and Weah save a ball on his line. But the team was able to undergo without breaking, new proof of its acquired maturity.
A luxury found and promises
In the end, Marseille holds its reference victory, the one that must chase the old demons and launch a new dynamic. Managing the end of a Champions League match while already thinking about the trip to Metz in the league is a luxury that the Vélodrome had forgotten for ages. If the abyssal weakness of this Ajax invites caution, the way, the confidence stored and the explosion of talents like Peaceão are immense promises. OM has regained its place in Europe. Now remains to last.
