De Vrij: ‘Inter need strong start in Champions League’ after Serie A struggle
Stefan de Vrij admits Inter are feeling the pressure in the Champions League against Ajax, ‘especially considering the way we started in Serie A.’
It kicks off at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
The Nerazzurri are coming off two consecutive painful defeats in the league, falling 2-1 at home to Udinese before the break for international duty, then losing 4-3 away to Juventus.
De Vrij acknowledges Inter struggles
“We arrive here with a strong desire to get a result and start the Champions League on the right foot, especially considering the way we started in Serie A,” De Vrij told Sky Sport Italia.
“It is important to change the way things are going and we can only do that by winning.”
Inter had been so impressive in the opening round when sweeping Torino aside 5-0, but then crumbled, highlighting the mental scars still left over from last season.
“We only had three games so far. It’s true that we haven’t done enough, but the details were the big difference. In certain moments, we have to improve and bring home the result.”
Lautaro Martinez is not passed fit to start with a back injury, so 20-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito gets his first start in the Champions League debut.
This is a return home to the Netherlands for De Vrij, but he came up through the Feyenoord academy before moving to Italy for Lazio in 2014.
“It is a bit like a derby, this has always been a big game for me. It’s wonderful to be back home and I can’t wait to play,” said the 33-year-old.