Analysis The numbers behind the result
Ajax's clinical edge overwhelms Sion despite parity in key stats
Ajax's 4-2 victory was a fair reflection of their superior shot quality, despite FC Sion matching them in several attacking metrics. The visitors registered 8 shots on target to Sion's 4, and 23 total shots to 12, underlining their dominance in chance creation. Both sides scored from similar shot volumes (Sion's 4 on target yielded 2 goals, Ajax's 8 produced 4), but Ajax's 62% possession and 90% pass accuracy allowed them to control the tempo and sustain pressure.
The game turned on Ajax's quickfire second-half double from Julian Brandt (53') and Marcos Leonardo (60'), which overturned Franck Surdez's 34th-minute opener for Sion. Despite Ilias Chouaref's 72nd-minute penalty briefly restoring parity, substitute T. Arokodare's immediate impact (74') and Davy Klaassen's late strike (87') sealed the win. Ajax's bench depth proved decisive, with three substitutes involved in the final two goals. The key stat: Ajax's 14 shots inside the box to Sion's 8 demonstrated their more incisive build-up play.