Inter Miami continue to struggle without Lionel Messi

Inter Miami are going through their first small crisis of the season. Sooner rather than later in the campaign,
Tata Martino has had to row against the tide to make up for the absence of an injured Leo Messi with results inconsistent every time the Argentine is away from the field. Messidependencia is real.

The draw against New York City FC was the icing on the cake to a string of matches without the Argentine. The only good news is that without Messi, Suárez has been able to lead the side from the front.

The Herons have once again found themselves with exactly the same problem that gave them such a headache last season. The reliance on Messi is well and truly back, although this time in a less pressing way. Last season, the Florida team did not win a single game that the Argentine sat on the sidelines due to injury, the main reason they failed to make the post-season.

Miami are suffering in MLS without Messi

As well as this, no player was able to do anything close to the magic that we see from the number ‘10′. This year Messi has not been able to participate in four games, either due to injury or rotation to reduce his minutes.

Montreal’s visit to Fort Lauderdale was the kick-off to the ‘month without Messi’. The Canadians managed to win 2-3 in a tight game while against DC United, the second match without the Argentine, Washington suffered a bitter defeat (1-3) thanks to a Suárez masterclass.

The matches against the two New York teams have left the Miami squad even more shaken: the Red Bulls served up their first big defeat of the season (4-0) where everyone left the stadium with worry lines and against City, the momentary joy after Suárez’s goal turned to disbelief in less than half an hour, when they conceded the equaliser.

Suárez cannot fill the gap left by Messi

‘El Pistolero’ has been in charge of making up for the absence of his teammate in an outstanding way, but the team has not accompanied him in doing so. Without Messi, the Uruguayan has been the team’s main reference with three goals in four games.

Inter Miami have by far the best player in MLS when it comes to attack, but they are up against it defensively. The goals conceded in the period without Messi have been a clear showcase of just how much of a loss he is: eight goals in four games played show that on average, Inter Miami must score at least three to avoid losing any given game without Leo.

Messi will be back against Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final. The god-like figure, the idol of an entire city returns when he is most needed. Of course, injuries have been devastating during his time at Inter Miami, causing the club to implement a ‘Messi plan’ in order to reduce his playing time and keep him fit.

“Leo and [fellow injury victim] Nico [Freire] are taking it day by day,” Martino told reporters. “Depending on what happens in the three or four days to come, we’ll make a decision on whether they can play or not.” The CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final first leg between Inter Miami and Monterrey will be played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday 3 April 2024. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm ET/5pm PT.