Dumfries: ‘Inter can win the Champions League, but we’ve got to improve’ | OneFootball

Inter wing-back Denzel Dumfries believes that Inter have a squad capable of winning the Champions League, but believes that it is too soon to say whether the Nerazzurri will go one better than last season’s run to the final: ‘It’s a difficult competition and we’ll need to give our best’.

Inter get their 2025-26 Champions League campaign underway on Wednesday evening with a visit to the Netherlands to take on Ajax.

It kicks off at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

Everything Dumfries said ahead of Ajax-Inter

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 04: Denzel Dumfries of Netherlands stands for the national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Netherlands and Poland at De Kuip on September 04, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

The mood in the Nerazzurri camp is rock bottom after two consecutive Serie A defeats, as the loss to Udinese was followed by a chaotic 4-3 setback in the Derby d’Italia against rivals Juventus on Saturday.

“We lost two out of three, it is not the start that we wanted, but we have a lot of experience and want to get back to doing well,” said Dumfries in his pre-match press conference.

“This is a different competition, we’ve got to start strong and it all depends on us. We need to prove our worth. If you look at the game with Juventus, we allowed goals too easily, so we’ve been working on that and told ourselves we’ve got to improve.

“However, our style of football was dominant, we lost because of details. We’ve got experience and know how to get back on our feet.”

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Denzel Dumfries #2 of FC Internazionale Milano scuffles with Marcos Acuña #21 of CA River Plate during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Reporters asked Dumfries if he understands why Inter have been conceding so many goals of late.

“We’ve spoken about the goals we’ve conceded, and for me it’s all about what happens in-game,” he replied. “We played very well against Juve, for example, when you look at the possession, we did what we had to do, but we conceded goals at the wrong time.

“Hopefully we get better at understanding these moments over the next few games.”

How does Dumfries see Inter performing in the Champions League after their run to the final under Simone Inzaghi last season?

“We’re playing in the Champions League to win. We’ve got an excellent squad, but for me, it’s not about doing better than last year. We’re a great club and we can win the Champions League, but it’s a difficult competition and we’ll need to give our best starting tomorrow.

“We didn’t start as well as we’d wanted in the league, but it’s up to us to improve and find the right motivation. We’re a squad that has experience and character. We look each other in the eye and we know that we have a lot to improve.”