Inter Milan’s 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign got off to the perfect start on September 17th as the Nerazzurri beat Ajax by two goals to nil in Amsterdam.

Two goals, either side of half-time from Marcus Thuram, were enough to seal all three points for Christian Chivu’s side and banish a somewhat unwanted record.

Before kick-off in the Johan Cruyff Arena, it had been seven long years since Inter managed to win their opening game in the UCL, but now, they can look ahead at a campaign filled with promise. 

Where Inter Rank Among the Favourites

Despite the perfect start and reaching the final last season, the bookies still don’t consider Inter as one of the favourites to leave Budapest with the ‘Big-Eared’ trophy next summer. The latest online football odds currently have Chivu’s men listed as a 20/1 outsider for glory, some way behind the joint frontrunners Liverpool and Arsenal, both of whom are listed at 6/1. 

But while the Nerazzurri are considered underdogs, there can be no denying that they have made the perfect start to continental life this term. But when was the last time they got off to a winning start? Let’s take a look. 

Late Double Downs Spurs 

Spurs aren’t really considered a threat domestically these days. The latest Premier League betting odds currently have them priced as a lengthy 50/1 shot to win the title this season. Under Mauricio Pochettino, however, things were somewhat different. 

The Argentinian boss took a side containing the likes of Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen, and Son Heung-min to the San Siro for the opening night of the 2018/19 season, and they were determined to hit the ground running.

Eriksen’s 53rd-minute deflected strike looked as though it would be enough to take all three points back to North London, until Inter’s late-late show turned the contest on its head. 

Inter captain Mauro Icardi levelled things up four minutes before full-time with a stunning volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Matias Vecino nodded home from close range to secure the victory for the hosts. In the end, though, Spurs would have the last laugh, as Inter were eliminated in the group stage while Poch led his side to a first-ever final appearance. 

https://twitter.com/Inter_en/status/1968419931818467336

Mourinho Leads Inter Greek Away Day Triumph 

One has to go back an entire decade for Inter’s next most recent Champions League opening day victory.

Jose Mourinho had just taken charge at the San Siro, and he immediately set about leading the Nerazzurri back to continental prominence.

His side headed on the road to Athens for a clash with Panathinaikos in their first game of the 2008/09 edition of the tournament, and they would ultimately have too much for the hosts to handle. 

Brazilian winger Mancini opened the scoring after just 27 minutes, and it was a lead that Inter wouldn’t surrender. Then, powerhouse striker Adriano put the tie to bed, lashing home three minutes after appearing from the bench to seal all three points.