Ajax 0-2 Inter Milan: Swiss Star Underscores Importance Of Compatriot’s Crucial Save In Champions League Win: “Would Have Been Difficult” | OneFootball

Manuel Akanji praised Yann Sommer after Inter Milan’s comfortable 2-0 victory at Ajax in their 2025/26 Champions League opener.

During his post-match interview via FCInterNews, the Swiss defender highlighted the importance of Sommer’s first-half save.

Inter Milan bounced back from a gut-wrenching 4-3 defeat at Juventus in last weekend’s Derby d’Italia.

Furthermore, Cristian Chivu won on his managerial debut in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Marcus Thuram hit back at his critics with a match-winning performance, scoring a decisive double.

Despite not being famous for his heading ability, the 28-year-old netted two identical headers last night.

Indeed, he pounced on Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner-kick delivery at the near post on both occasions.

However, the game could’ve gone a different way had it not been for Yann Sommer.

The veteran goalkeeper made a crucial save shortly before Thuram’s opener, denying Mika Godts in a one-on-one situation.

Sommer’s excellent stop laid the groundwork for Inter’s win in Amsterdam.

Manuel Akanji Praises Yann Sommer After Ajax 0-2 Inter Milan Win

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Yann Sommer of FC Internazionale acknowledges the fans as he celebrates his team’s 4-3 victory after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Sommer came under scrutiny after a woeful performance against Juventus.

Moreover, many had expected Chivu to drop him last night in favor of Josep Martinez.

However, the new Nerazzurri manager refused to punish the ex-Bayern Munich star for one bad game.

And Sommer repaid his trust.

“If that ball goes in, it’s 1-0 and we’re behind, so it wouldn’t have been easy,” Akanji said after the match. “Yann helped us a lot in that situation, and I’m really happy for him.

“Keeping a clean sheet was really important for us, to give confidence to the guys up front, so they can do their job.”

Then, Akanji explained how significant it was to take three points at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

“We’re really happy with the win and the start,” he continued. “We kept a clean sheet and scored two goals from set pieces.

“Indeed, we’ve been working on corners, and I’m glad they’re working well because they can win us matches.”