Inter Miami's coach, Gerard Martino, hinted that Lionel Messi could make his first start for the club in their upcoming Leagues Cup match against Atlanta United. Messi had an explosive impact in his debut, coming on as a substitute in the 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul, where he scored a dramatic winning goal from a free-kick in stoppage time. Despite initially limiting Messi's and Sergio Busquets' playing time in their debut match, Martino admitted that both players left a strong impression and might start against Atlanta United, Martino's former club.
Martino acknowledged that the dynamic of the team might change with the presence of Messi, Busquets, and soon-to-join Jordi Alba. The coach revealed that they have been working on modifying their playing style to accommodate the new star signings and to elevate the overall level of the team. A win in the Leagues Cup match against Atlanta United would secure Inter Miami's progress to the knockout stage of the tournament, which involves Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX clubs. This would be a crucial achievement for the team, considering that MLS has paused its regular season until August 20, leaving Messi and the rest of the squad with almost a month without a scheduled game if they fail to progress.
Inside the locker room, goalkeeper Drake Callender praised Messi's humility and down-to-earth nature despite his superstar status. The players have been making efforts to make Messi feel welcome and part of the team. Callender said they treat him like any other teammate to ensure he feels comfortable and at ease in the new environment.
Alongside Messi, Busquets also seemed to adapt seamlessly, rekindling his understanding with the Argentine superstar. Canadian central defender Kamal Miller highlighted the advantages of having a player of Messi's quality on the team. He mentioned that the team often looks to involve Messi in their plays due to his ability to deliver killer passes and open up space for other players.
The hype surrounding Messi's move to the USA has been immense, but within the team, the focus remains on integrating him and making the team dynamic as normal as possible. Inter Miami's fans eagerly await Messi's potential first start and the impact he and the other new signings will have on the team's performance in the Leagues Cup and beyond.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0