As the floodlights prepare to blaze over the Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday night, a sense of anticipation and nostalgia will hang thick in the Amsterdam air. Four-time European champions Ajax are set to begin their latest UEFA Champions League campaign with a high-stakes clash against last season’s runners-up, Inter Milan—a fixture that evokes memories of the 1972 European Cup final, when the Dutch giants triumphed in nearby Rotterdam to claim their second continental crown. More than half a century later, the two clubs meet again, not in a final, but in the crucible of the league phase, each carrying the weight of recent disappointments and the hope of redemption.
Ajax enter the contest unbeaten this season, a promising start under new head coach John Heitinga, who returned to the club after a stint as assistant at West Ham and Liverpool. The former Dutch international, who once marshaled Ajax’s backline with grit and intelligence, now finds himself tasked with restoring the club’s competitive edge on the European stage. His appointment followed the abrupt departure of Francesco Farioli, whose tenure ended in disarray after Ajax squandered a commanding lead in the Eredivisie title race. A pivotal victory over PSV Eindhoven in late March had put them nine points clear at the summit, but a dramatic collapse in form saw them relinquish their advantage and finish second. The failure to secure domestic silverware, coupled with a last-16 exit in the Europa League and a fruitless KNVB Beker campaign, extended the club’s trophy drought to three years—an unacceptable stretch for a club of Ajax’s stature.
Heitinga’s early tenure has brought cautious optimism. His side has won all three home fixtures this season, including a 3–1 victory over PEC Zwolle last weekend, though points have been dropped on the road. The team’s attacking play has shown flashes of brilliance, with Mika Godts netting a brace against Zwolle and Wout Weghorst providing a physical presence up front. Steven Berghuis, a seasoned campaigner, is expected to complete the front trio, offering creativity and experience. In midfield, Kenneth Taylor remains a key figure after scoring 15 goals across all competitions last season, while Oscar Gloukh, a summer arrival from Salzburg, brings Champions League pedigree and technical flair.
Ajax’s recent record in the Champions League has been underwhelming. Since their semi-final run in 2019, they have progressed past the group stage just once in four attempts. The club’s famed youth development and attacking philosophy have not translated into consistent European success, and Heitinga will be keen to reverse that trend. The opening fixture against Inter Milan presents both a challenge and an opportunity—a chance to measure themselves against elite opposition and to rekindle the spirit of their golden era.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, arrive in Amsterdam nursing wounds both fresh and lingering. Last season’s campaign was a tale of near-glory and ultimate despair. After navigating a treacherous semi-final against Barcelona and recording a club-record ten Champions League wins, the Nerazzurri were humbled in the final by Paris Saint-Germain. The 5–0 defeat was not just a loss—it was a dismantling, a brutal reminder of the gulf that still exists between Inter and Europe’s very best. It was also the final chapter in Simone Inzaghi’s tenure, a period that saw the club reach two finals in three years but fall short of the ultimate prize.
In a move that surprised many, Inter turned to Cristian Chivu as Inzaghi’s successor. A continental champion with the club in 2010, Chivu’s appointment was rooted more in sentiment than experience. His senior coaching résumé is modest, and his early results have reflected the growing pains of transition. After a promising 5–0 win over Torino, Inter suffered consecutive defeats—first to Udinese at San Siro, then in a pulsating Derby d’Italia against Juventus. That match, a seven-goal thriller, saw Inter take the lead only to concede twice in the dying minutes, a collapse that exposed defensive frailties and raised questions about Chivu’s tactical acumen.
Despite the setbacks, Inter’s squad remains formidable. Lautaro Martínez, the club captain, is a proven goalscorer with nine goals in last season’s Champions League run. Marcus Thuram has started the new campaign brightly, netting three times in Serie A. The attack is further bolstered by new arrivals, including Petar Sucic, Andy Diouf, and Ange-Yoan Bonny, all of whom offer depth and versatility. Manuel Akanji, a deadline-day signing, made his debut in the chaotic derby and could feature prominently against Ajax. Chivu may be tempted to rotate his squad in response to recent results, seeking a balance between continuity and freshness.
Inter’s tactical identity under Chivu is still taking shape. The team has retained elements of Inzaghi’s system—wing-back play, vertical passing, and aggressive pressing—but has also shown signs of structural vulnerability. The midfield, once a bastion of control, has looked porous, and the backline has struggled to maintain composure under pressure. Against Ajax, Inter will need to rediscover their defensive discipline and impose their physicality without sacrificing fluidity. The challenge will be to contain Ajax’s dynamic movement while exploiting spaces in transition.
Historically, Inter have had the upper hand in recent meetings with Ajax. Since their defeat in the 1972 final, the Milanese club has won three of the four subsequent Champions League encounters, with the other ending in a draw. However, history offers no guarantees, and the current context suggests a more balanced contest. Ajax’s home form, combined with Inter’s recent struggles, sets the stage for a competitive and potentially unpredictable match.
The tactical battle promises to be intriguing. Heitinga is likely to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing possession, width, and quick interchanges. His side will look to dominate the ball, stretch Inter’s defensive shape, and create overloads in wide areas. The midfield trio of Taylor, Gloukh, and Berghuis will be tasked with controlling tempo and linking play, while the front three aim to press high and force errors. Inter, on the other hand, may opt for a 3-5-2 setup, with wing-backs providing width and the midfield trio anchoring transitions. Martínez and Thuram will be the focal points in attack, supported by late runs from midfield and diagonal balls from deep.
Set pieces could play a decisive role. Ajax have shown vulnerability in defending corners and free-kicks, while Inter possess aerial threats in Akanji and Diouf. Conversely, Ajax’s delivery from Berghuis and Gloukh could trouble Inter’s zonal marking system. Discipline will also be crucial—both sides have conceded penalties and picked up cards in recent matches, and the intensity of the occasion could lead to flashpoints.
Beyond tactics and form, this match is about identity and ambition. Ajax, with their storied history and commitment to youth, seek to reassert themselves on the European stage. Inter, with their pedigree and recent near-misses, aim to begin a new chapter under Chivu with purpose and conviction. The Johan Cruyff Arena, steeped in tradition and echoing with the legacy of Total Football, will bear witness to a clash that transcends points and progression—it is a meeting of philosophies, of legacies in flux.
As the players take to the pitch, the narratives will converge: redemption for Ajax, resurgence for Inter, and the eternal pursuit of glory that defines the Champions League. Whether it ends in triumph or frustration, Wednesday night in Amsterdam promises to be a spectacle—a celebration of football’s enduring capacity to captivate, challenge, and inspire.
