MILAN:

A double from French striker Marcus Thuram handed Inter Milan a comfortable 2-0 win over Dutch giants Ajax Wednesday, last year's runners-up getting their European campaign off to a dominant start.

The 28-year-old Thuram was the difference between the two sides, the Ajax defence struggling to cope with his pace or imposing physical presence at set-pieces.

"He is so strong. He's a fantastic player when you see how well he holds the ball up," said Inter's Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij, paying tribute to Thuram.

"An intelligent player, technically good. He can even head the ball," joked De Vrij, with both of Thuram's goals coming from headed corners.

It was a cagey opening at a soggy Johan Cruyff Arena, a second-minute strike by Inter's Federico Dimarco that stung the gloves of th

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