Who is Pio Esposito and why Lautaro Martinez doesn’t start Ajax vs. Inter?

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 2:25 PM ET

Francesco Pio Esposito makes his Champions League debut leading the Inter attack against Ajax at the age of 20, as Lautaro Martinez has not been passed fit.

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.

There had already been suggestions over the last couple of days that Lautaro Martinez was struggling with a back injury, so he had skipped yesterday’s training session.

Cristian Chivu waited until today to make the decision, and will not risk the captain from the start in this Champions League opener.

Esposito stands in for Lautaro Martinez

He has therefore picked Pio Esposito to lead the attack with Marcus Thuram, a huge show of faith in the player who only celebrated his 20 ^th birthday at the end of June.

Esposito comes from a football family, as he is one of four brothers, three of whom play professionally.

Sebastiano Esposito is at Cagliari, while Salvatore plays in Serie B for Spezia.

Pio Esposito recently made his senior Italy debut in the 5-0 World Cup qualifier against Estonia on September 5, playing just six minutes.

He also made his Serie A debut for 22 minutes in the 2-1 home defeat to Udinese on August 31.

It was his performances in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer that prompted Inter to keep hold of him, as he scored one and provided an assist in two matches against Urawa Reds and River Plate.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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