Ajax-Marseille is a match from the first day of the Europa League group stage and is played on Thursday at 21:00: TV, line-ups, predictions
The most interesting group, and one that could easily be described as ‘iron’, is certainly group B, in which, in addition to a club with a reputation such as Ajax, Marseille, Greek champions Aek Athens and De Zerbi’s Brighton, the great surprise of the last Premier League editions, are also included. The level, in short, is very high. And for the first two places it will probably be a tussle (the third, let’s remember, relegates to the Conference League).
On the first day the challenge between Ajax and Marseille stands out, one that could easily have been played in the Champions League. The Lancers are coming off a so-called transition season: the team did not absorb the farewell of Erik ten Hag, now on the bench of Manchester United, missing both the title and the qualification for the most important continental event. In January, the Schreuder experiment had already failed – the former Club Brugge coach was exonerated after only a few months – and now Maurice Steijn, fresh from his experience at Sparta Rotterdam, is leading the Amsterdam club. With him, a renewal operation began: many young players arrived and some veterans left, such as Dusan Tadic (the Serbian ended up in Turkey, at Fenerbahçe).
Marseille in total chaos
Steijn, however, will need time to create a new cycle: the start is not the best as the performance in the first four days of the Eredivisie shows.
Abardonado
Only one win, two draws and one defeat, which for the time being does not allow Ajax to keep pace with Psv Eindhoven, Az Alkmaar and Feyenoord. Marseille are not doing well at all either, approaching this match a few hours after what was a real ‘earthquake’: in a meeting with the management, some fans allegedly threatened both president Longoria and coach Marcelino with death. The board in a note temporarily suspended themselves from their duties, while the coach, who arrived in the summer to replace Igor Tudor, resigned. A ferryman, Jacques Abardonado, will be on the bench in Amsterdam.
The Prediction
Ajax are not shining but could take advantage of the difficult situation Marseille experienced on the eve of their European debut. The Lancers are likely to avoid defeat in a match with at least one goal each.
Ajax v Marseille likely line-up
- AJAX (3-4-2-1): Gorter; Gaaei, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Van Den Boomen, Taylor; Borges, Mikautadze, Bergwijn; Brobbey.
- MARSEILLE (4-3-3): Lopez; Clauss, Mbemba, Balerdi, Lodi; Mughe, Kondogbia, Veretout, Correa; Ndiaye, Aubameyang.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
