26 September 2023 , 19:45
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Houston Dynamo defender Erik Sviatchenko believes he has identified Lionel Messi's weakness ahead of the US Open Cup final versus Inter Miami.
Messi, who is questionable for the match due to a recurring injury, is chasing his second trophy in Vice City colours, having already led the club to their first-ever honour with the Leagues Cup. However, it would appear that Miami's opponents do have a strategy when it comes to stopping the World Cup winner in his tracks.
After 11 goals in his opening 12 appearances for the Herons, finalists Houston Dynamo have every reason to fear the veteran forward ahead of the showpiece. That said, Sviatchenko does appear convinced that Messi does have one flaw in his game, which Houston will look to exploit.
The Danish international is convinced that the key will be to try and stop the passing lanes, thus cutting off the supply to Miami's biggest threat. He explained: "If you can keep him away from goal for as long as the game goes on because Messi sometimes in the role he has now he also drifts away from goal to get the ball."
His positive outlook on the prospect of stopping the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner did not heed a previous warning from fellow MLS defender Giorgio Chiellini. The Juventus legend, now of LAFC, did not underestimate the threat posed by Messi ahead of their clash earlier in the campaign.
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Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, he said: "One thing is sure: you cannot stop him with just one man. It’s impossible. He's an extra-terrestrial. He’s not like a normal guy. He was — and he is — so really different from other players.
"It’s like LeBron [James] or [Michael] Jordan. They are different from the other ones. He could seem sleepy for 85 of 90 minutes, but in that five minutes he could be devastating. That’s a top player."
Messi has already brought success to Inter Miami and will be hoping to win another trophy versus Houston Dynamo (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Despite outlining how Houston would attempt to quell the forward's impact on proceedings, Sviatchenko did concede that executing this plan over 90 minutes will be challenging. He added: "Of course, it won't be possible for 90 minutes.
"He will pop up, he will pop up in spaces where he'll get himself in dangerous spots, either to assist or to have a hit on goal. It's very difficult to see where the weaknesses are. You can lose the game, within a second. He can take advantage of the slightest kind of mistake or the slightest unawareness in the team."
The big question mark ahead of the US Open Cup final is whether Messi will be fit to feature, having missed three out of Miami's last four MLS matches. The 37-year-old also missed a training session just a day before the game as he continues to nurse a scar issue.