MLS
Gerardo Tata Martino speaks about Inter Miami’s chances of making MLS playoffs
The Argentine coach spoke about the tricky situation in which Inter Miami find themselves: with just a few games to go, they need a miracle.
Inter Miami manager Tata Martino admitted that the club’s aspirations of making the MLS playoffs were almost completely wiped out with the loss to Chicago Fire as the team continue to suffer without the presence of Lionel Messi.
In what was something of a last-chance saloon for the side, the game against Chicago Fire ended with a thumping 4-1 defeat that all but ended their playoff hopes. This is something which could have huge repercussions for the side given that now, rumours have emerged of Lionel Messi’s possible exit from MLS to rejoin Barcelona.
Now the focus turns to the DRV PNK Stadium and the weekend game against Cincincatti, the current MLS leaders and the winners of the 2023 Supporters’ Shield.
‘The chances get slimmer and slimmer, we no longer depend on ourselves’
Regarding the slim-to-none possibilities Inter Miami have of making the playoffs post Decision Day, Tata Martino said after the Chicago Fire defeat that his side “fundamentally have the need to win” what’s left in the MLS season.
“With the sadness of seeing how the chances get slimmer and slimmer, as we said we no longer depend on ourselves. A tiny possibility could exist if results go our way and fundamentally we have the need to win the games that remain”, he said.
At the same time, Martino reminded everyone that Inter Miami must focus on the other results in the league in order to see what their aspirations can amount to at the final stretch of the campaign that burned so brightly with the arrival of Messi who, despite being injured, has been called up to the Argentina squad.
Martino admits Chicago was the turning point
“We had it in our own hands until tonight”, he said, “now just the slimmest of chances exist, but it doesn’t depend solely on what we do, now we have to look to the other results. The last time we had things in our own hands was against Chicago.”
Finally, Martino assured that as well as remaining aware of what the other teams do in the final games of the competition, the team must focus on themselves as the true test will be to compete against both Cincinnati and Charlotte. “It’s not only the distance and what the opponents can do, but what we can do ourselves at this point of the season.”