Ajax Faces Inter Without Berghuis – Who Will Step Up?
So, here’s the big story ahead of Ajax versus Inter in the Champions League: Steven Berghuis is out injured. That’s a huge blow, because he’s normally a key figure on the right wing or just behind the striker. Now the main question being asked is—who should replace him? Two names keep coming up: Oliver Edvardsen and Raúl Moro.
Former Ajax player and analyst Marciano Vink has been pretty clear about his choice. If it were up to him, Edvardsen would get the nod on the right flank. His reasoning? Power and work rate. Vink pointed back to a game earlier this season against Go Ahead Eagles, where Berghuis struggled defensively against James. In that match, Berghuis was moved inside to the number ten role and Edvardsen was brought on. Vink feels that Edvardsen showed he could bring the energy and running needed, especially against fast wingbacks like Inter’s Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries. Those two are described as “trains,” constantly pushing forward, and Ajax will need someone who can match that speed on the flank.
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But not everyone agrees. Anco Jansen, another analyst, leaned toward Moro instead. His argument is more about attacking threat than defensive security. He thinks Dimarco isn’t the strongest defender and that a tricky dribbler like Moro could actually exploit that weakness. Jansen even pointed to Barcelona’s Yamal, who gave Dimarco problems in one-on-one situations. From his perspective, Ajax should play to their own strengths at home and trust Moro’s creativity and dribbling ability.
That’s where the debate really sits: do you go with Edvardsen, the harder worker with more stamina, who can track back and help against Inter’s dangerous wingbacks? Or do you roll the dice with Moro, who might be able to trouble Dimarco and keep Inter pinned back through skill and flair?
Vink cautioned against being too optimistic about “playing your own game” in the Champions League. He even brought up PSV’s painful lesson—where relying on their natural style cost them against a stronger opponent. Inter’s wingbacks and midfield are their big strengths, so Ajax will need to balance creativity with physical presence.
At the same time, Denzel Dumfries himself spoke about Ajax ahead of the match. He said Ajax “remains Ajax”—still a team with a clear style and plenty of individual quality. Even though Ajax has had a shaky start to the season, Dumfries acknowledged the danger they pose. And with Inter coming off a tough 4–3 loss to Juventus in Serie A, this game might be arriving at just the right time for the Dutch side.
So, the stage is set. Berghuis is out, the spotlight is on his potential replacements, and the choice between Edvardsen and Moro could shape Ajax’s chances against the Italian giants. It’s a classic tactical dilemma: safety versus risk, power versus flair. And soon enough, we’ll see which path coach Heitinga decides to take.
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