Official Starting Lineups – Ajax Vs Inter Milan: Pio Esposito Makes Champions League Debut & Frattesi Starts

Originally posted on SempreInter.com | By Marko Vrakela | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 1:48 PM ET

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

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.

Chivu Puts Faith in Davide Frattesi & Petar Sucic

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

Despite faring well against Juventus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan will surrender his place to Petar Sucic.

Furthermore, Nicolo Barella drops to the bench after a dismal performance against Juventus. Therefore, Davide Frattesi starts in the midfield.

Meanwhile, on the left-hand side, Federico Dimarco takes Carlos Augusto’s place. Then, the Brazilian dislodges Alessandro Bastoni from the starting XI.

In addition to Bastoni, 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

AJAX (4-3-3): Jaros; Gaai, Itakura, Baas, Wijndal; Regeer, Klaassen, 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, Carlos Augusto; Dumfries, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito.
Bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, Acerbi, Bisseck, Bastoni, Palacios, Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Diouf, Bonny, Lautaro.
Coach: Chivu.
Suspended: none.
Unavailable: Darmian.

Referee: Oliver.
Assistants: Burt and Mainwaring.
Fourth official: Barrot.
Var: Gillet.
Avar: Salisbury.

This article first appeared on SempreInter.com and was syndicated with permission.

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