Inter Miami coach: 'Messi's assist is super class'
"In addition to his professional contributions, Messi also motivates his teammates, the coaching staff and the club with the enthusiasm and personality of a leader. He always finds the answer to every moment of the game." Coach Martino said after the victory over Cincinnati. "The second assist was great. Messi transformed what other players found difficult into simple things. It was a super-class assist."
On the TQL field, Miami was led by two goals by the host, facing the risk of failure in the semi-finals of the US National Cup 2023. However, Messi's class spoke again. In the 68th minute, from the free-kick point on the left wing, Messi passed it to Leonardo Campana and headed high to shorten the score to 1-2. In the seventh minute of injury time, Messi went back to the middle of the field to get the ball and then suddenly crossed early. The ball passed the block of a defender Cincinnatti poured behind the head of Campana, for the Ecuadorian striker to equalize 2-2.
In extra time, each side scored one more goal and drew 3-3. In the penalty shootout, Messi completed the task, helping Inter Miami win 5-4. This is the first time the 36-year-old striker has not scored. In the previous seven games, he contributed to 10 goals, helping the home team win and win the Leagues Cup - the first title in the club's history.
Happy with the victory, but coach Martino is also worried about Messi's fitness. Except for the debut match - coming on as a substitute in the 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul on July 22, his compatriot started and played all the remaining seven matches. "Like many other players, Leo is hitting the limit of fitness," Martino said. "From this point on, we will evaluate our approach for the next three games."
After the statement of coach Martino, Twitter of the Argentina team also expressed concern for Messi's fitness. "Messi desperately needs rest. Much needed," they wrote.
In the next match on August 27, Miami will be a guest at the New York Red Bulls field. This is expected to be Messi's debut at the MLS American Professional Football Championship. Fans can't wait to see how he performs in the North American continent's number one soccer tournament. Therefore, the decision to let Messi rest or not may not be simply a matter of expertise with coach Martino.
The large area of the United States inherently makes moving more physically demanding. The distance from Miami's DRV PNK home to the Red Bull Arena is more than 2,000 km while their return from Cincinnati is 1,760 km. Many players in the Miami squad, even younger than Messi, also showed signs of exhaustion in the match against Cincinnati.
Inter Miami was founded in 2018. Two years later, they joined the MLS, finishing in 19th, 20th and sixth place respectively for three seasons. Currently, David Beckham's team is at the bottom of the table after 22 matches in the 2023 season, including five wins, three draws and 14 losses. Before signing with Messi, Miami went 11 matches without winning.
