Inter Miami suffers first defeat since Messi’s arrival

Calling in sick due to muscle fatigue Lionel MessiInter Miami suffered a 5-2 defeat at Atlanta United on Saturday, bidding farewell to a 12-match unbeaten run that began with the signing of the Argentinian star in July.

Inter Milan, who scored the goal thanks to Ecuadorian Leonardo Campana, still ranks 14th in the Eastern Conference with 28 points from 27 games.

With seven games left, the Miami Heat need a great comeback to move into the final playoff spot, temporarily in the hands of D.C. United, who are ninth with 35 points from 29 games.

The team led by Gerardo “Tata” Martino faces a second consecutive game without Messi, who, like Spanish defender Jordi Alba, remains in Miami due to muscle fatigue.

“It would be very reckless to bring him to play this game,” Tata told a news conference. “They’re going to practice tomorrow and we’ll see that day in and day out.”

Messi, 36, watched as a substitute in Argentina’s win over Bolivia in South America’s World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday.

Since the arrival of the former Barcelona star, Inter Miami are unbeaten in 12 games, with eight wins and four draws.

The run saw the team co-owned by David Beckham win the League Cup in conjunction with the Mexican League and qualify for the U.S. Open final on September 27, which Martino will now count as His first priority…the playoffs.

“It’s very tempting to compete for the title,” admits the coach, who both joined Inter when they occupied the last spot in MLS.

“We started the game early and we won’t give up, but our target is the 27th,” he stressed.

Inter were able to beat Sporting Kansas City 3-2 without Messi last week, but this Saturday they suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Atlanta United, led by Argentinian star Thiago Almada. cheered by more than 70,000 fans.

Leonardo Campana opened the scoring for Miami in the 25th minute and scored again from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute, but United scored through Frenchman Tristan Muyamba (36th), Canadian Card Myler Miller’s own goal (41st) and American Brooks’ goal turned the situation around. Lennon (44), Greek George Giakoumakis (76) and American Tyler Wolfe (89).