Inter Miami's season could collapse due to MLS rule amid major Lionel Messi blow
Inter Miami will have to navigate the absence of Lionel Messi during the international break as they prepare to play without him.
The Herons are unbeaten since the arrival of the Argentine superstar stateside, with the veteran forward having helped to transform their fortunes. The team's new captain has already led them to trophy glory in the form of the Leagues Cup, supplying 11 goals in as many games.
It is fair to say that the 37-year-old's inspired performances has galvanised Vice City but they will have to do without their talisman for their next game. The World Cup winner will be absent from his duties at DRV PNK Stadium in their next game after he was called up to play two international friendlies for his country.
Still an active player for his nation, he has travelled to join up with his compatriots ahead of their clashes with Ecuador and Bolivia. Due to MLS action still continuing during the international break, Miami will have to do without Messi for a crunch clash against Kansas City.
The Floridan franchise have a lot still to play for in MLS, as they chase down an all-important playoffs place in the final run-in to the regular season. Normally, teams required an an average of 43.3 points to make the final qualification slot, meaning the Herons will need approximately two points per game to meet their objective.
Apple TV release MLS Season Pass worldwide and announce free opening weekend
But in all, Miami will be without nine first team players, who have been called up for their countries for the upcoming internationals in a significant blow for Vice City. Aside from Messi, this list includes significant names such as Drake Callender, Robert Taylor, Josef Martinez and Sergei Kryvtsov.
Coach Tata Martino will be bouyed by the fact that he will still be able to call upon several key men as he prepares for the clash versus Kansas City. Among them will be former Barcelona pair Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba as well as mainstays DeAndre Yedlin, Kamal Miller, Leo Campana and Dixon Arroyo.
Gerardo Martino has called on his players to navigate Lionel Messi's absence in their upcoming match (2023 Getty Images)One positive is that first-choice goalkeeper Callender is expected to remain with his Miami teammates for this upcoming fixture, despite his US call up. He will then travel to join his national team ahead of the friendly versus Oman in Minnesota on September 12.
Martino has already admitted that the team will have to mitigate for the loss of Messi due to his international commitments. He previously stated: "This [playing with a rotation] is something we need to get used to because Leo is going to join his national team.
"He'll miss at least three games this year and next year it will be the same, and we need to understand that when he's not here the team still needs to provide results."
Sergio Busquets insists his Inter Miami teammates must remain focused despite Lionel Messi's absence (Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images)Likewise, fellow key performer Busquets has issued a rally cry to his teammates to continue their form even without their star player. The Spanish midfielder said: "It will be a difficult match with so many national team players missing.
"[That is] including Leo, who is always a difference maker for us, not only with his goals and assists but how he plays. We have to step it up, prepare well and hope to continue in the same way we have been playing to reach our objective."
Due to a lacklustre first half of the season, Vice City are up against it in their quest to make the playoffs and still sit second from bottom of the Eastern Conference. That said, they sit eight points off D.C. United in the final qualification spot, with two games in hand.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
