Ajax powerless to stop Internazionale in 2-0 defeat in the UEFA Champions League
Ajax started their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Internazionale in the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Wednesday. Set pieces proved to be the issue for John Heitinga’s side as Marcus Thuram scored both goals from corners.
It was clear from the game that Inter were a level above the Amsterdammers. Despite the fact that it only finished 2-0, the Italians were comfortable with Ajax creating very little of note to trouble them.
Oliver Edvardsen was given the nod by Ajax manager John Heitinga to replace the injured Steven Berghuis. He was picked ahead of Raul Moro. Another summer signing, Oscar Gloukh, was also put on the bench by Heitinga, as he picked Davy Klaassen to start the game.
Inter came close to breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute. Marcus Thuram managed to create a bit of space to get his shot off, and it went inches wide of the goal.
Thuram thought he had earned his side a penalty a minute later. English referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot after Ajax defender Youri Baas had pulled the French striker to the ground. But the decision was altered after Oliver watched the incident again on the VAR screen. This showed that Thuram had pulled Baas’ shirt first.
Ajax had a huge chance to take the lead in the final minutes of the half. Edvardsen played a great pass from deep to Mika Godts, with the young winger having the whole Inter half to run into, but his effort was saved by Yann Sommer.
This proved costly as the Italian side took the lead a minute later. A corner taken by Hakan Calhanoglu was powerfully headed into the net by Thuram to give former Ajax player Christian Chivu’s side the lead.
A carbon copy of the first goal occurred in the first minute after halftime to make it 2-0 for the away team. Again, it was the Turkish midfielder Calhanoglu who crossed it, and Thuram rose too high for Klaassen once more to head into the far corner.
Most of the second half was comfortable for Inter. The Italians did not push too much to score a third and did not seem fazed by anything Ajax was attempting.
Kasper Dolberg came on for Ajax and came close to scoring his first goal since returning to the club in the closing stages of the game. A cross by Anton Gaaei was missed by Sommer and met by the Danish striker, but his header went over.
Heitinga’s side will have to get over the defeat quickly; they face the reigning Eredivisie champions PSV on Sunday. Ajax are currently a point behind the Eindhovenaren in the league table. PSV are second in the league, Ajax are third.
