Ajax and Inter Milan will go head-to-head in the Champions League at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Wednesday night as both sides look to open their European campaigns with a victory.
John Heitinga’s side have started the game with three wins from their opening five Eredivisie games this season, and claimed a 3-1 win over PEC Zwolle this past weekend. Christian Chivu’s side, on the other hand, have just one win in their opening three Serie A games of the season, and come into this game on the back of a thrilling 4-3 defeat to title rivals Juventus.
Both managers have some decisions to make in regards to their team selection too, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expect the sides to line up.
Ajax Team News
The Dutch side have a strong team to choose from for this game, but they will be without midfielder Branco van den Boomen due to a back injury. Aaron Bouwman is also a doubt as he is carrying a knock.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Heitinga shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
Steven [Berghuis] isn’t fit enough to play tomorrow, so he’s not in the squad. I would have liked to have him in, but he won’t make it through this match. Whether he’ll be there on Sunday remains to be seen.
“We have to be at our best tomorrow, and we need everyone to do that: the players, the staff, and the fans. You can tell from everyone that we’re happy to be playing at the highest level. Everyone is eager and wants to be on the pitch. It’s up to us to show we can compete.
“But we’re facing a tough opponent. They’re physical, strong in set-pieces, and a team with enormous drive. We’ll also have to chase the ball at times; that’s also a mental thing, and we have to honor our commitments. Of course, there will be space, and we feel we can get into the game, because they’re Italian. But we have to be sharp and alert. With their individual quality, we can’t let up for a second.”
Ajax Predicted XI
Ajax Predicted XI: Jaros; Gaaei, Itakura, Baas, Wijndal; Regeer, Taylor, Klaassen; Moro, Weghorst, Godts.
Ajax Predicted Substitutes: Pasveer (GK), Heerkens (GK), Rosa (DEF), Sutalo (DEF), Mokio (DEF), Alders (DEF), Fitz-Jim (MID), Mokio (MID), McConnell (MID), Gloukh (FWD), Dolberg (FWD).
Heitinga is likely to stick with what has been working for him so far this season, and that should see Raul Moro start alongside Wout Weghorst in attack in place of the injured Berghuis.
£40,000-a-week defender Josip Sutalo is likely to be on the bench, as is Liverpool loanee James McConnell.
Inter Milan Team News
Inter are looking to build some momentum following a poor start to their campaign, and that could see Chivu ring the changes for this game.
The Serie A outfit, who reached the Champions League final last season, are at full strength in terms of injuries, which could see some changes made following the defeat to Juventus.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Chivu shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“I’ve never talked about it [dropping Sommer]. And I don’t think it’s right to throw stones at Sommer. He’s an important player; he showed that last year, and from a human standpoint, I don’t think it would be fair.
“I have great respect for Pepo Martinez, and everyone knows that he’ll have his chances.
“But today I don’t feel like changing Sommer just because the fans are asking for it.
“Not to be contrary, but because a player in difficulty needs to be helped. With his experience, he knows what he can give to the team.
“Today he [Lautaro Martinez] didn’t train due to a small problem; we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.
“Ajax are a strong team, young, mixing experience and youth, technical quality, well-coached, and with speed.
“You have to be ready for a match like this because the first game in the Champions League is always important.
“The culture is different. It’s not easy to change it in Italy, but the way of training in Italy is excellent.
“I try to create a perfect blend between Italian and Dutch approaches.”
Inter Milan Predicted XI
Inter Milan Predicted XI: Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Diouf, Dimarco; Thuram, L. Martinez.
Inter Milan Predicted Substitutes: Di Gennaro (GK), J. Martinez (GK), Bisseck (DEF), De Vrij (DEF), Darmian (DEF), Augusto (DEF), Zielinski (MID), Mkhitaryan (MID), Frattesi (MID), Henrique (FWD), Esposito (FWD), Bonny (FWD).
Chivu is likely to call upon new midfielder Andy Diouf for this game after Henrikh Mkhitaryan played 90 minutes against Juventus, while loanee Manuel Akanji should also continue in defence.