Our Champions League campaign begins tonight: Ajax vs. Inter, the complete guide
Team
— Sep 17th 2025The Nerazzurri will play the Dutch side in the first matchday of the 2025/26 Champions League: kick off scheduled for 21:00 CEST
The Nerazzurri's European journey begins tonight, in Amsterdam. This evening, at 21:00 CEST, at the Johan Cruijff Arena, Inter will face Ajax, on Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase. It is a historic fixture between two clubs who have well and truly made their mark in European football.
LEAGUE PHASE
The 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League kicked off with the first six matches played on Tuesday and, as was the case last season, the first day is spread over three days, with six matches tonight and six on Thursday. Inter kick off their campaign with an away match against Ajax in Amsterdam, while their next Champions League fixture is scheduled for 30 September at San Siro against Slavia Prague.
CHIVU, AJAX'S FORMER CAPTAIN
Wednesday's match in Amsterdam will be particularly special for Cristian Chivu, Inter's head coach, but with an unforgettable history at Ajax. Coming to the Netherlands in 1999, the Romanian defender quickly proved himself to be a key figure in the Dutch backline. His personality and leadership caught the eye of Ronald Koeman, who entrusted him with the Captain's armband at just 21 years old. With Chivu leading on the pitch, Ajax won both the league and the domestic cup in the 2001/02 season, as well as the Dutch Super Cup at the start of the following campaign. Chivu was also among the star players of the Club's impressive European run, which took the Lancers to the quarter-finals of the 2002/03 Champions League. He will return to the Johan Cruijff Arena as Inter's coach. It will be a mix of emotions and stories that will add to the thrill of the evening.
“It will be a tough game, we must be physically and mentally prepared. Ajax are a strong, fast and technical side, with both experience and youth. We have trained well, we must be ready, also because it is the first game.”
Cristian Chivu
THE HISTORY
The two teams have met five times, recording three wins for Inter, one draw, and one victory for Ajax. Ajax has never beaten Inter in the modern Champions League: in four head-to-head matches, Inter have won three times with one draw. A promising record for Inter, who remain unbeaten in 12 Champions League matches against Dutch teams (nine wins, three draws). For Ajax, after a strong start against Italian teams, three wins without conceding, they have only won three of their last 25 matches against Serie A clubs.
Relive Inter's previous encounters with Ajax: the history
READ MORETHE OPPONENT: AJAX
Ajax have kicked off the new Eredivisie season with mixed results. After the first five matchdays, the Dutch side are in third place with eleven points thanks to three home wins against Telstar, Heracles, and PEC Zwolle, as well as away draws against Volendam and Go Ahead Eagles. They have scored ten goals and conceded four.
The start of the season confirms Ajax as a competitive opponent with strong attacking quality and their usual ability to develop young talent, qualities that make the Dutch team a tough and challenging opponent, especially at home. The Lancers changed head coach after their collaboration with Farioli came to an end; instead, they appointed John Heitinga, a former Ajaz player. It is a reunion of sorts: after retiring as a player, Heitinga joined Ajax's coaching staff, working between Jong Ajax and the youth sector from 2016 to 2021, then returning to the second team until 2023. In January 2023, he was made first-team coach, leading the group to third place in the league and to the Dutch Cup final, which they lost on penalties. Released at the end of the season, he became David Moyes' assistant at West Ham until May 2024. The following July, he joined Arne Slot's staff at Liverpool, where he stayed until May 2025.
The Dutch club's summer transfer window saw several new signings, including forwards Oscar Gloukh and Raul Moro, experienced defender Ko Itakura, and Danish striker Kasper Dolberg. Heitinga is expected to use the 4-3-3 layout on Wednesday with Jaros in goal, Gaaei, Itakura, Baas, and Wijndal in defence, Regeer, the former Nerazzurro Klaassen, and Taylor in midfield, while the attacking trio will be Berghuis, Weghorst, and Godts. The lineup is yet to be confirmed, given there have been several selection dilemmas, especially in relation to starters, Gloukh and Raul Moro.
“Inter are the strongest team that we will play in the Champions League, we must give a lot, also in terms of physicality. The odds don't favour us, however we must do our all so that Inter do not win. It's not a question of limiting the danger, they are at the top of European football and we must do all we can to make sure that it's a great night for our fans.”
John Heitinga
Former Nerazzurri player Davy Klaassen, who made 18 appearances for Inter in the 2023/2024 season and won the Italian championship, now plays for Ajax. After his spell with the Nerazzurri, the midfielder, born in 1993, returned to Ajax, where he is now captain. Here are his words on the eve of the match.
“It will be a special match for me. I had a great year at Inter, winning the Scudetto. I still hear from Dumfries, De Vrij and Calhanoglu at Inter. We've been in touch recently; we're friends, but now it's time for the match. Ajax is a team that is growing, with new staff. We need to work hard and improve. ”
Davy Klaassen
REFEREE
The referee for Ajax vs. Inter, part of the first matchday of the Champions League, will be Michael Oliver from England. Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: Stuart Burt-James Mainwaring Fourth Official: Sam Barrott VAR: Jarred Gillett Assistant VAR: Michael Salisbury
AJAX VS. INTER, WHERE TO WATCH ON TV
Ajax vs. Inter, valid for the first matchday of the 2025/26 Champions League, will take place on Wednesday, 17 September at 21:00 CEST. It will broadcast exclusively on Prime Video and will also be available on Amazon Prime Video through smart TVs and all mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and consoles.
UPDATES ON INTER TV
As always, there will be updates and live links on Inter TV as part of the pre-match build-up, with the latest news leading up to kick-off. Our pre-match Livematch for Ajax vs. Inter will be live from 19:30 CEST and will also be available on YouTube through the Club's official channels until 20:15. At the end of the game, there will be in-depth analysis and interviews.