The highly anticipated Club Friendly between Ajax and Celtic on July 24, 2025 brought excitement and competitive football at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia as part of the #ComoCup in Italy. Both sides entered the match in strong form: Ajax were unbeaten in their last four, while Celtic had won four of their previous five, including a dominant 4-0 victory over Newcastle just days earlier[1].
Coming into the fixture, many predicted an open, high-scoring encounter given Ajax’s renewed attacking prowess under Heitinga and Celtic’s sharp offensive play. Analytics favored “Both Teams To Score” and “Over 2.5 Goals,” given Ajax’s matches averaging nearly three goals per friendly and Celtic conceding in only two of their last five outings. However, Ajax’s backline was seen as a possible weakness, potentially vulnerable to Celtic’s pressing and quick transitions. Corners were also predicted to be plentiful due to both teams’ aggressive pressing and turnovers in advanced areas[1].
According to ESPN’s live coverage, the match was tightly contested, reflecting the quality and form of both squads. Historical records show these clubs have played competitive, close matches in the past, often separated by a single goal[2].
Content from live-action feeds and highlights confirm the game was fast-paced and open, with both goalkeepers called into action. There were multiple dangerous chances, including a narrowly missed free kick early on and several brave saves from both sides. The full-time whistle saw the teams locked, with neither able to find a decisive goal in the closing stages, resulting in a draw after 90 minutes[3].
For lineup details, Celtic’s official communications released their matchday starting XI prior to kickoff, highlighting their strong selection for this international challenge[5].