Inter Milan Predicted Lineup vs Ajax: Cristian Chivu Willing To Axe Stars After Poor Start To 2025/26 Campaign

Inter Milan head face Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Matchday One of the Champions League and Cristian Chivu is set to make some huge changes to his lineup following two consecutive defeats in Serie A.

Who Will Cristian Chivu Drop Against Ajax?

The Nerazzurri have made a poor start to their 2025/26 season under Cristian Chivu, losing their last two Serie A matches and sitting 11th in the table with just three points from three matches.

Most recently, Inter suffered a 4-3 defeat to title-rivals Juventus, as Vasilije Adzic scored a 91st minute screamer to clinch all-three points for the Bianconeri.

Hakan Calhanoglu scored twice for the blue and black half of Milan, as the Turkish international silenced rumors over a move away from the San Siro.

Before the season began, Inter were one of the favorites to win the Scudetto after dropping the trophy to Napoli by one-point in Simone Inzaghi’s final season in charge.

However, Cristian Chivu’s men now sit six-points behind both Juventus and Napoli, which could prove costly as the season progresses – especially after the events of last season.

Entering the Champions League could be a well-needed distraction from the disappointment in Serie A and Inter will need to put their last performance in the UCL behind them.

The Nerazzurri were beaten 5-0 by PSG in the 2024/25 final, which was the worst defeat any club has suffered in the deciding match of the competition.

Chivu has recently hit-back at the repeated questions over Inter’s performance against PSG, claiming Inter are a different side from five months ago.

The Inter manager said: “Enough with the Champions League final, five months have passed. When I was talking about ‘things from the past’, I didn’t mean the Champions League final.

“There are certain habits, and sometimes you have to understand that instead of doing things beautifully, you have to do them efficiently.

This tension comes from two consecutive defeats in Serie A and Chivu is set to make some changes, with the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Yann Bisseck unlikely to start against Ajax.

Inter Milan Team News

Chivu handed Manuel Akanji his Inter Milan debut against Juventus, however the Swiss defender failed to deliver on his first appearance since joining from Manchester City on loan.

Akanji is likely to feature from the beginning against Ajax, but Chivu could make some other changes to his defensive set-up, with Federico Dimarco expected to return after dropping to the bench against Juventus.

Former Inter player, Stevan Jovetic, questioned Inter’s reliance on individual stars like Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, however, the two will lead the line against Ajax as Ange-Yoan Bonny continues to find his feet.

Petar Sucic has made an impressive start to his Inter career after signing from Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian could replace Mkhitaryan in the center of midfield.

The Nerazzurri have no major injury concerns for their trip to Amsterdam and a win over Ajax could be the shift in momentum needed to rise up the Serie A table.

Inter Milan Predicted Lineup vs Ajax