Cristian Chivu believes Inter’s 2-0 win against Ajax in the Champions League was a “show of maturity” from his side.
Last year’s finalists kicked off their campaign with a comfortable win against the Dutch side, with Marcus Thuram scoring two headers from Hakan Calhanoglu corners on either side of half-time.
Thuram has now scored five goals in his last eight Champions League games, recording his second brace in the competition, while Inter have scored more goals from corners since the start of last season than any other team (six).
It was also the first time that Inter have started their Champions League campaign with a win since the 2018-19 season, and Chivu was impressed with how his side performed in the Netherlands.
“It is important for the work that the lads are doing, they were close before, and tonight was a show of maturity,” Chivu told Sky Sports Italia.
“We tried to neutralise Ajax’s strengths, which included their passing in the final third, and only allowed them to pass the ball in areas we were comfortable.
“We tried to stay in their half, recover the ball as quickly as possible, and immediately go with vertical passes. It went well.”
2 – Marcus #Thuram is only the 2nd #Inter player to score a brace by header in a #ChampionsLeague match, after Hernán Crespo on 12/11/2002 – both against #Ajax in an away match. Flight.#AjaxInter #UCL pic.twitter.com/i5bxUKVxtx
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) September 17, 2025
Thuram also became just the second Inter player to score two headers in a Champions League match after Hernan Crespo did so in November 2002, also in an away game against Ajax.
Speaking about his goals to Prime, Thuram said: “Thanks to two very well-taken corners by Calhanoglu!
“We played a great match without conceding, which was our objective. We’re happy. We knew we had to respond after the Juventus result, and we did.”
