De Vrij: ‘Inter need strong start in Champions League’ after Serie A struggle | OneFootball

Stefan de Vrij admits Inter are feeling the pressure in the Champions League against Ajax, ‘especially considering the way we started in Serie A.’

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

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and PSG vs. Atalanta on the Liveblog.

The Nerazzurri are coming off two consecutive painful defeats in the league, falling 2-1 at home to Udinese before the break for international duty, then losing 4-3 away to Juventus.

De Vrij acknowledges Inter struggles

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Stefan de Vrij #6 of FC Internazionale Milano reacts to a missed attempt on goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

“We arrive here with a strong desire to get a result and start the Champions League on the right foot, especially considering the way we started in Serie A,” De Vrij told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is important to change the way things are going and we can only do that by winning.”

Inter had been so impressive in the opening round when sweeping Torino aside 5-0, but then crumbled, highlighting the mental scars still left over from last season.

“We only had three games so far. It’s true that we haven’t done enough, but the details were the big difference. In certain moments, we have to improve and bring home the result.”

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Denzel Dumfries of Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Lautaro Martinez is not passed fit to start with a back injury, so 20-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito gets his first start in the Champions League debut.

This is a return home to the Netherlands for De Vrij, but he came up through the Feyenoord academy before moving to Italy for Lazio in 2014.

“It is a bit like a derby, this has always been a big game for me. It’s wonderful to be back home and I can’t wait to play,” said the 33-year-old.