Ajax coach John Heiitinga stressed the importance of physical and mental preparation for the Champions League match against the Inter. At a press conference, he stressed public support and the need to give the best of himself, even to replacements. Heiitinga recognizes the difficulty of this first meeting since November 2022, but expresses his determination to make the team play with intensity and surprise. He refutes the opinions that the team would be disadvantaged and asserts that the Ajax has the ability to compete with Inter and create surprise.

Valentijn Driessen, journalist of De Telegraaf, questions Heiitinga about the game style that will be adopted, that of Francesco Farioli or that of John Heiitinga himself. Heiitinga rejects the idea that Farioli’s game style would be applied, affirming that the Ajax will play its own game, while recognizing the importance of certain aspects of the previous year’s game. He points out that the team is now ready to play in the Champions League and will not play in the same way as before.

The excitement rises for the return of the Champions League, with 36 European teams ready to fight. This competition is a springboard for young talent, as demonstrated by players like Lamine Yamal and Désiré Doué last year. For the game against the Ajax, the Inter could be affected by injuries, including that of his star attacker, Lautaro Martínez, and that of his defender Matteo Darmian. In addition, Steven Berghuis, Ajax player, is also uncertain for the game. A press conference with former Ajax player, Christian Chivu, should bring more clarity on the state of health of the Inter key players.