Official Starting Lineups – Ajax Vs Inter Milan: Pio Esposito Makes Champions League Debut | OneFootball

Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu has decided to start Francesco Pio Esposito and Davide Frattesi against Ajax. This evening’s Champions League Match Day 1 clash kicks off at 21:00 CEST at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Inter travel to Amsterdam for their first Champions League outing under Cristian Chivu.

After back-to-back Serie A defeats to Juventus and Udinese, this fixture could potentially determine the 44-year-old’s fate.

Therefore, it’s unsurprising that the former Parma coach will field his strongest Inter Milan starting line-up tonight.

However, Chivu has more than one injury concern, with Lautaro Martinez struggling with a back problem.

With El Toro at risk of staying on the bench, the Nerazzurri boss has a decision to make.

Ajax Vs Inter Milan – Pio Esposito Set For Champions League Debut

MONZA, ITALY – AUGUST 12: Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale looks on during the Pre-season Friendly match between AC Monza and FC Internazionale at U-Power Stadium on August 12, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Firstly, the big team news ahead of the match is that Francesco Pio Esposito will make his Champions League debut.

Back at Inter after a phenomenal breakout season at Spezia, the 20-year-old is hoping to shine on the grandest stage.

Indeed, the teenage striker was outstanding in Serie B last term, convincing Chivu to keep him in the squad this season.

Unfortunately, the Italian center-forward has barely featured in the opening three Serie A rounds. A yellow-card suspension prevented him from taking part in Inter’s 5-0 rout of Torino on day one.

Then, he made a late cameo appearance against Udinese. Finally, he was an unused substitute against Juventus last weekend.

With Lautaro desperately needing rest, tonight will be Esposito’s chance to demonstrate his well-documented potential.

Cristian Chivu Puts Faith in Nicolo Barella & Henrikh Mkhitaryan

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammates Stefan de Vrij and Nicola Zalewski during 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)

Another couple of pre-match question marks surrounded the midfield and the left-hand side.

Despite faring poorly against Juventus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan will keep his place. This means Petar Sucic starts on the bench.

Furthermore, Nicolo Barella starts despite a dismal performance against Juventus. Therefore, Davide Frattesi is benched.

Meanwhile, on the left-hand side, Federico Dimarco takes Carlos Augusto’s place. Then, therefore Brazilian is benched. Alessandro Bastoni gets the nod in the starting XI.

In addition to Augusto, Francesco Acerbi is out, with Stefan de Vrij replacing him at the heart of Inter’s backline.

Official Starting Lineups – Ajax vs Inter Milan: Pio Esposito Starts

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano arrives at the stadium prior to 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 Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

AJAX (4-3-3): Jaros; Gaai, Itakura, Baas, Wijndal; Regeer, Klaassen (C), Taylor; Edvardsen, Weghorst, Godts. Bench: Heerkens, Pasveer, Sutalo, Rosa, Mokio, Fritz-Jim, McConnell, Gloukh, Moro, Dolberg. Coach: Heitinga. Suspended: none. Unavailable: Berghuis, Van den Boomen.

INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella (C), Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito. Bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, Acerbi, Bisseck, Carlos Augusto, Palacios, Luis Henrique, Frattesi, Zielinski, Sucic, Diouf, Bonny, Lautaro. Coach: Chivu. Suspended: none. Unavailable: Darmian.