CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP
Busquets, Alba, Suarez and Messi expected to start against Monterrey
Inter Miami head to Monterrey trailing 2-1 from the first leg in the Concacaf Champions Cup 2024 with ‘Tata’ Martino hoping to field a strong side.
Inter Miami will need to dig deep next week as they face Rayados de Monterrey in the second leg of the quarterfinals in the Concacaf Champions Cup 2024 with the MLS side trailing 2-1 from the first leg.
Before heading to Mexico, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s side were in action in Florida on Sunday night for an MLS clash as they drew 2-2 with Colorado Rapids with the Argentine coach giving some playing time to Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Nicolás Freire, Diego Gómez, Marcelo ‘Chelo’ Weigandt and Messi as he looked to rotate the squad with one eye on the game at the Estadio BBVA on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after the MLS clash, Martino stated that it would have been risky to play Messi in the first leg game against Monterey with the Argentine maestro a second half substitute on Saturday.
Inter set to field a string side against Monterrey
Martino was questioned at length about the forthcoming game against Rayados and if Leo Messi would start the second leg with Martino stating: “The idea is yes that Leo could start, but it’s important to remember that he has only played for forty-five minutes but we do understand the demands of the upcoming game. The most important thing is Leo is back and that he felt good, he scored a goal and he participated in the second. I think that’s the takeaway for us.”
For the first time in considerable time, it appears that Inter Miami will be able to field their four global superstars in potentially, of the most important games in the club’s short history with Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba along with Messi set to start in Mexico with the Uruguayan striker rested by Martino in the game against Colorado and the Spanish duo late second half substitutes.
Martino responded about questions relating to Busquets and Alba and added: “We needed Busi to have fewer minutes [sic]. With Federico (Redondo) not being there, ‘Toto’ Avilés was the one who could cover that area and it was planned that he would play 55-60 minutes and Busi only 30-35. In the case of Jordi in that position (left wing back), it was due to the injury sustained by Afonso. It was planned that Afonso would play the 90 minutes, unfortunately he had discomfort.”