Sports Editorial – Inter Miami played without Lionel Messi or Jordi Alba this Saturday in Atlanta, with Gerardo Martino’s side winning 5-2. Meaning the first defeat since the arrival of the Argentinian star.
Inter Miami has accumulated twelve unbeaten matches in different competitions (eleven wins and one draw), which allowed them to win their first ever title (League Cup) and advance to another final (US Open Cup).
After this defeat, Inter Miami’s challenge of continuing to climb the regular league standings to qualify for the MLS playoffs becomes more complicated. On several occasions when the Pink side dominated, they were just three points away from goal, but now they are forced to win many of their remaining seven games.
The absence of Messi and Alba, who remain in Miami, as well as substitutions of usual starters such as Venezuelan Josef Martinez or Ukrainian Sergey Kravtsov, indicate that the US Open final against the United States in ten days’ time It is a pressure for the team. Martino’s tactical approach.
“Bells” from another Leo
A number of protagonists appear in the opening minutes. Inter Miami looked more comfortable early on and recovered as Atalanta came through after the first eight minutes. The local advantage was realized in the 19th minute when Greek Georgios Giakoumakis had his first clear chance from a corner kick.
Miami responded. Ecuadorian Dixon Arroyo attempted a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, but it went vertically. The rebound passed to the talented Leo Campana, who caught the ball with his chest, tipped defender Miles Robinson and dropped it with his left foot.
It was his third straight game scoring. The Ecuadorian is lovely and continues to receive calls to “La Tri” after his absence in September.
Atalanta bounce back before halftime
Campana’s goal changed the game. The visitors were full of confidence and once again broke through Brad Guzan’s goal, ignoring their defensive zone. This allowed Atlanta to run and the game turned into a dynamic duel with a high pace from goal to goal.
In the 36th minute, Tristan Muyamba equalized the score with a header at the near post. The ball hit the post and wandered along the baseline, wondering if it had gone all the way into the net before Derek Callender saved it.
Just five minutes later, Atalanta completed the comeback thanks to a counterattack on the left wing by Portuguese Xander Silva, who chose to serve towards the baseline and his cross was hit into his own net by Kamal Miller.
It wouldn’t be the last time, but Miami walked into the locker room with its head down after conceding its third goal in the 44th minute. Brooks Lennon abandoned his position at right-back and moved down the middle to take advantage of Caleb Wiley’s pass from the left.
That’s ten goals Lionel Messi has scored in his first seven games with Inter Miami.
Inter Miami recovers and sentenced by Atalanta
Six minutes after the restart, Peruvian Luis Abrams opened his arms in the penalty area and converted the penalty. Campana was responsible for launching Inter Milan’s shot, and Miami adjusted it to Guzan’s right post.
The exchange between Guzan and Campana after the goal showed the tension and competition that existed on the pitch, with nearly all the players involved in a brawl. It was Campana’s ninth MLS goal of the season.
The second half was very open with no clear dominant player and both teams focused on attack.
Therefore, Jakumakis finished fourth in the 75th race. Although there was not much inspiration, in this case it was devastating, Atalanta finishing off a brilliant counterattack with the first touch of the ball advancing and the Greeks already defining the attack in a small area.
Gakumakis has scored 14 goals this season, giving him a chance to compete for the MLS Golden Boot.
The visitors’ sense of urgency saw them turn to Venezuelan Josef Martinez, an icon who has been applauded by fans after his success at Atalanta.
However, a rude mistake from Miller sent the ball to midfielder Georgia Saba Lojanidze, who carried the ball across the penalty area before passing it to Tyler Wolfe for the team’s goal The fifth ball.
Inter Miami have never conceded five goals this season, a result that may raise doubts among Martino as to whether he can rest his stars in the final stages of the season in order to achieve the goal of “playoffs”.
Argentinian star Lionel Messi is set to join the United States Soccer League with Inter Miami, ending weeks of speculation about his future.
— Match schedule:
5. Atlanta United: Guzan; Lennon, Robinson, Abram, Willie; Muyumba, Rossetto (Fortune, m.82); Mosquera (Lobjanidze, m.74), Almada, Silva (Wolff, m. .80); Giakoumakis (Miguel, m.80).
2. Inter Miami: Callender; Yedlin, Aviles (Kryvtsov, m.82), Miller, Allen; Arroyo (Ruiz, m.66), Busquets, Klay Muskie (Robinson, m.74); Taylor (Stefanelli, m.66), Campana (Martínez, m.82) and Farias.
Goal: 0-1, m. 25: Bell. 1-1. m. 36: Muyamba 2-1, m.41: Miller, own goal. 3-1, m.44: Lennon. 3-2, m.53: Bell, penalty. 4-2, m.74: Jakumakis. 5-2, m.89: Wolfe.
Referee: Jair Marrufo (USA). He showed the yellow cardboard to locals, to Muyumba and Abram, to tourists Farías and Stefanelli.
Event: A Major League Soccer regular season game was held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of approximately 70,000 spectators.