Blind sees beauty in Inter

'Top-class players'
"They are a difficult side to play against, but it is a beautiful lineup," Blind said of the meeting with the two-time European champions. "Inter are a big name with some really top-class players - internationally respected names like Luís Figo, Juan Sebastián Verón and Adriano. That will make it very interesting for our players to play them.

Interesting phase
"It is the knockout phase now and that makes it very exciting," added Blind. "You always have a chance to get through over two matches and the best team does not always progress. Inter are a big name and are also doing extremely well at the moment, but an Ajax side in good form can beat an Inter side in good form. That is our goal."

Final meeting
The two clubs would have gone into this encounter with three European Champion Clubs' Cups each had Inter not lost 2-0 against Ajax in the 1971/72 final. However, more recent experience is less comfortable for the Dutch outfit. They went down 1-0 at Inter and then 2-1 at home to the Nerazzurri in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League group stage.

Facchetti happy
Such statistics would doubtless reassure Inter president Giacinto Facchetti. "I would be lying if I said we are not satisfied with the draw," he said. "Ajax have several very promising players but have less experience than other teams we could have faced. However, it would be a huge mistake to underestimate them."

Cambiasso cautious
Midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, though, found good reason for caution. "At this stage last season, everyone wanted to face PSV Eindhoven and Liverpool [FC]," he said. "But I think PSV played the best football in Europe last season and Liverpool won the trophy. At this stage it's impossible to prefer one team to another. We will have to play our best football if we want to qualify."