Two headers from Marcus Thuram give Inter a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, with Sommer crucial at 0-0 and Calhanoglu providing both assists.
Inter started their Champions League journey with a crucial 2-0 away victory over Ajax in Amsterdam, thanks to a dominant performance from Marcus Thuram. The French striker scored twice with his head, while Hakan Calhanoglu delivered both assists from set pieces.
Cristian Chivu opted for a back three of Akanji, De Vrij, and Bastoni, with Dimarco on the left flank. Up front, the coach surprised many by starting young Pio Esposito alongside Thuram, leaving Lautaro Martínez on the bench due to fitness concerns.
The first half was tense and cagey, with Ajax pushing high and Inter struggling to find space. Thuram came close in the 32nd minute with a diagonal shot that narrowly missed the target. Moments later, the French forward was brought down in the box by Baas, and the referee initially awarded a penalty. However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned due to a foul by Thuram earlier in the play.
Ajax nearly took the lead in the 40th minute when Godts went one-on-one with Yann Sommer, but the Swiss goalkeeper made a decisive save, silencing recent criticism. That stop proved vital as, just two minutes later, Inter went ahead: Calhanoglu’s corner found Thuram, who rose above the defense to head home at the near post.
Inter struck again immediately after the break. In the 47th minute, another Calhanoglu corner found Thuram, who once again outjumped everyone to make it 2-0. From there, Inter managed the game calmly, controlling possession and keeping Ajax at bay to secure a clean sheet and three important points.
This win gives Chivu’s side a confidence boost heading into the rest of the group stage, with Thuram and Sommer the standout performers on the night.
Match Report
Ajax 0-2 Inter
Scorers:
- 42’ Thuram (Inter)
- 47’ Thuram (Inter)
Ajax (4-3-3): Jaros; Gaaei, Itakura (84’ Sutalo), Baas, Wijndal; Regeer (76’ Gloukh), Klaassen, Taylor (63’ McConnell); Edvardsen, Weghorst (63’ Dolberg), Godts (76’ Moro).
Coach: Heitinga
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella (80’ Zielinski), Calhanoglu (87’ Sucic), Mkhitaryan (70’ Frattesi), Dimarco (80’ Carlos Augusto); Pio Esposito, Thuram (87’ Bonny).
Coach: Chivu
Booked: Thuram (Inter), Mkhitaryan (Inter), Baas (Ajax)
Referee: Oliver
