Ajax double in the Champions League, this time all of Inter are laughing at Thuram

Sommer's revenge, Thuram's confirmation. Inter put the pain of the championship behind them, giving Chivu a successful coaching debut in the Champions League. In Amsterdam against Ajax, where he came to prominence as a young player 25 years ago, the Romanian coach was grateful for a brace from Thuram, who scored again with a header from a corner, as he did in Turin against Juventus, and for a crucial save from Sommer, who was protected by Chivu without giving in to the wave of criticism following the Swiss's mistakes at the Stadium.

Pio Esposito's Champions League debut was a resounding success, with Akanji once again the only new signing starting. The 20-year-old striker, who came through the Nerazzurri youth system and has returned after several loans, was chosen over Bonny to replace Lautaro, who was on the bench due to a back injury. The Argentine didn't even participate in the team warm-up, limiting himself to a few exercises alone in the tunnel. Esposito immediately broke the ice with a performance that was crucial to the team's overall play. A very different kind of forward than Lautaro, he will be a valuable asset to Chivu's more vertical and direct game plan. Thuram tried to provide some guidance to Pio and was rewarded with a clever assist: the Frenchman fired just inches wide after freeing himself with a blistering dribble. Then, for a few seconds later, he celebrated winning a penalty for holding Baas, which was cancelled out by VAR for an earlier foul by the Inter number 9.

These are signs of a crescendo rewarded by the lead: Thuram scores again with a header from a corner, just like in Turin, seconds after a stunning save from Sommer on Godts, who was running alone towards the Nerazzurri goal. This is how the champions respond: the Swiss repays Chivu's decision not to replace him in goal with Martinez. Thuram doubles the lead in identical fashion just after half-time: another corner, brushed home by the usual Calhanoglu and won thanks to another truly centre-forward effort from Esposito, and Marcus's second unrestrained header. The Frenchman, already five goals in Inter's first four competitive matches of the season, once again makes it clear that on-field performances count, despite those who were outraged by his lack of celebration and smile with his brother Khephren on Saturday afternoon. Against Juventus, he was Inter's best player; in Amsterdam, he dominated the match.