Ajax vs. Inter, previous meetings: Crespo's magic and Stankovic's charisma

A story that weaves together eras, styles, and unforgettable star players. Ajax and Inter meet again in the Champions League on September 17th at 21:00 CEST in Amsterdam, in the opening round of the 2025/26 league phase. A clash steeped in history and memory, that connects the Nerazzurri's past glory to new hope.

The two sides have met five times before with three wins for Inter, one drawn and one Ajax win. This fixture has seen it all: Inter's defeat in Rotterdam, Crespo’s moments of joy, and the determination of Stanković and Cruz.

THE 1972 EUROPEAN CUP FINAL

The first meeting of the two sides will always be remembered as legendary. On May 31st 1972, in Rotterdam, Giovanni Invernizzi's Inter reached the European Cup Final after beating Celtic in the semi-final on penalties. Meanwhile, Ajax and Johan Cruijff were symbols of total football. The game remained a draw for the entire first-half, until Ajax's No. 14 scored a brace to secure the victory for the Dutch side, and their second consecutive European Cup.

SPOTLIGHT ON CRESPO

Héctor Cúper’s Inter drew Ajax in the group stage of the 2002/03 Champions League. On September 25th at San Siro, the Nerazzurri found their breakthrough thanks to Hernán Crespo's strike in the 74th minute. A cross from the right by Matías Almeyda, a run to the near post, and a flying tap-in that beat Timmer. A simple, perfect goal that gave them the 1-0 win and their first three points on that European journey.

On November 12th, Inter faced Ajax away in an intense game. Ajax were pressing, and the stadium was roaring. But Crespo was there again as the star of the show. In the 49th minute Di Biagio drove into the final third and set up Crespo, who headed the ball in at the near post to give Inter the lead. Two minutes later, Crespo came up with another masterpiece. With a clever feint in midfield, he shook off a defender to give the ball to Morfeo, who then passes it on Valdanito. He then sends it left to Vieri, who crosses for the Argentine striker to score another header to complete his brace. Two strikes that left the Dutch defence reeling. Van der Vaart’s goal narrowed the gap, but it wasn't enough and the game ended 2–1 to Inter. Two games, three goals. A masterclass from Inter’s No. 9.

STANKOVIC AND CRUZ SEND INTER THROUGH THE ROUND OF 16

Four years later, the teams met again in the Champions League 2005/06 Round of 16, at the Amsterdam Arena. The match was thrilling from the start, with the home side scoring twice in four minutes in the first half (Huntelaar, then Rosales). In the second half, the Nerazzurri switched up their tactics and got back in the game. They started strongly with Stanković linking up with Cambiasso at the edge of the box and then tapping the ball in to reopen the game. In the 86th minute, Inter came up with a masterpiece. Figo played a brilliant pass to Cambiasso, who immediately set it up for Cruz, firing the winning strike from close range.

The return to San Siro was a tense battle. A moment of brilliance decided it. In the 57th minute, Stanković received the ball at the edge of the box, and fired a powerful shot into the corner past Stekelenburg. Inter proceeded to the next round led by Cruz's reliability and Stanković’s authrority.