Ajax vs Inter

Ajax may be unbeaten in the Eredivisie but do face another kind of test against Inter. The Dutch side have faced Inter four times previously in the competition, failing to win any of them (D1 L3). No team has denied Ajax victory more often in the Champions League without ever losing than the Nerazzurri. For Ajax, the broader historical picture against Italian opposition is also discouraging. After winning their first three Champions League matches against teams from Serie A without conceding, they have since struggled badly. Across their last 25 meetings with Italian clubs, Ajax have managed just three wins (D9 L13) and have kept only three clean sheets in that span. Breaking through Inter’s typically well-organised defence will require precision and patience. There is, however, a strong sense of history for Ajax in this game. Johnny Heitinga is set to take charge of the club in the Champions League for the first time, becoming the fifth individual to both play for and manage Ajax in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League. He follows in the footsteps of legends such as Johan Cruijff, Ronald Koeman, Frank de Boer, and Danny Blind. Fittingly, all 12 of Heitinga’s own appearances in the Champions League for Ajax came under Koeman or Blind. His debut in the dugout will therefore carry symbolic weight at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. A 4—3—3 formation with Mika Godts, Wout Weghorst and Steven Berghuis in attack is expected here.

Inter, who were on the losing end in Saturday’s Derby d’Italia’s 4-3 loss to Juventus, arrive in Amsterdam with a flawless record against Dutch opposition. They are unbeaten across all 12 of their Champions League meetings with Eredivisie clubs (W9 D3), the most they have played against sides from a single country without suffering defeat. That record, combined with their recent defensive strength in Europe, makes them firm favourites heading into this clash. Inter’s recent record highlights their defensive pedigree. Between the 2022-23 and 2024-25 seasons, they recorded 20 clean sheets in the Champions League – five more than any other side in that period. However, the visitors finished last season with worrying cracks at the back, conceding 13 goals across their final four games and allowing at least two in each match. Whether that late dip proves a blip or a sign of vulnerability will be tested in Amsterdam. Lautaro Martínez will return alongside Marcus Thuram in attack when Chivu deploys the familiar 3—5—2 formation.