Inter Milan ease to win over Ajax

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Ajax 0 - 2 Inter Milan

Marcus Thuram scored twice as Inter Milan began their Champions League campaign with a convincing win at Ajax. 

Author | Ed

Stadium | Johan Cruijff ArenA

Super News Football | Champions League | Ajax v Inter Milan | View from the stands

Thuram headed in from two Hakan Calhanoglu corners, one in each half, to continue his excellent start to the season. The 28-year-old now has five goals in four games across all competitions, providing last season’s beaten finalists with the perfect response as they look to move on from their heavy defeat by Paris St-Germain in May’s final.

A closer analysis of what happened

Cristian Chivu, who succeeded Simone Inzaghi after that loss, kept faith with much of the side that started in Munich, naming eight of the same players. He was rewarded with a fluent and assured performance, Thuram at the heart of it. With Lautaro Martínez left on the bench due to a back issue, the former Borussia Monchengladbach forward carried the main attacking threat throughout.

Thuram had gone close before his opener, flashing one chance wide and seeing a penalty overturned by VAR for a foul on Ajax defender Youri Baas, shortly before Baas pulled him down in the area. 

Super News Football | Champions League | Ajax v Inter Milan | View among the ultras

Ajax’s best opportunity fell to Belgian winger Mika Godts, who broke clear shortly before Thuram’s first goal but was denied by a superb stop from Yann Sommer. It was as close as the hosts came on a night when Inter’s composure and firepower proved decisive.

Ajax make the same mistake twice

Thuram guided home a header at each end of the pitch as corners seemed to be the order of the day. One Ajax fan, Paul, who is involved in the Ajax Supporters Club in London, was surprised that his side didn’t learn from the first goal. He told us: “I just felt it was too easy for them.”

Next up in the Champions League

Inter will hope to make it two wins from two as they welcome Slavia Prague to the San Siro on Tuesday, 30 September. Ajax will travel to France to play Marseille on the same evening in what is already looking like a must-win game if they are to progress to at least the play-off stage.

Location: Johan Cruijff Boulevard 1, 1101 AX Amsterdam, Netherlands

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