Inter Miami vs. New York City: Will Messi Return Permanently?

2023-09-30 09:51:53

Only a couple of days have passed since Inter Miami bit the dust against Houston Dynamo in the US Open final, but the Herons have to get back on their feet. The busy MLS schedule prevents moments of mourning. With the play-offs still within reach, those of ‘Tata’ Martino will face a direct rival, the last one that marks the long-awaited ticket to the postseason, New York City. However, Miami still has its heart in its mouth to know if Leo Messi will be able to return, this time permanently, to the green.

The hurricane that followed Messi’s arrival in the MLS seems to have subsided. With five regular season games still to play, Inter Miami continues to pluck the daisy and push its luck. Martino’s team will host New York City today at home, a direct rival to enter the long-awaited postseason, although all the doubts and perspectives after the last games seem to have affected a squad that was ecstatic until before the FIFA break.

Messi’s injury in the so-called ‘FIFA virus’ left a team that was largely relying on the experience of ’10’ affected. The Argentinian star, who missed the final of the US Open, continues to suffer muscle problems and, although he is already training normally with the group, he remains a doubt for the clash against the New Yorkers. “Leo’s thing is very particular, we are going day by day,” explained Javier Morales, assistant coach of Inter Miami. As already happened against Houston, Inter will wait until the last moment to decide if Messi will be able to start or, on the contrary, will have to wait for his opportunity from the bench. If he starts among the substitutes, ‘Facu’ Farías would be in charge of fulfilling his role.

‘Tata’ Martino will not be able to count on another superstar like Jordi Alba either. The club reported that the Spanish full-back suffers a hamstring injury, and as of today there is no forecast of a time frame for his return. “With Jordi it is a longer process, he comes a little longer than Leo, his injury is a hamstring (tendon) so he will surely not be here for this weekend.” As he already did against Houston, the coach will surely make use of the talent of Noah Allen to make up for the Spaniard’s absence.

Potential Inter Miami lineup

XI: Drake Callender; Kamal Miller, Serhiy Kryvtsov, DeAndre Yedlin, Noah Allen; Sergio Busquets, Benjamín Cremaschi, Diego Gómez, Lionel Messi or Facundo Farías; Robert Taylor and Josef Martínez.

DT: ‘Tata’ Martino.

Potential New York City lineup

XI: Matthew Freese; Birk Risa, Thiago Martins, Kevin O’Toole, Tayvon Gray; Santiago Rodríguez, Andrés Perea, James Sands, Monsef Bakrar; Magno and Andrés Jasson sizes.

DT: Nick Cushing.