MLS
Inter Miami in search of the ‘real’ Luis Suárez
The ‘Pistolero’ has not had the desired start with the Herons, with just one goal in three games and without featuring against Hong Kong.
Inter Miami is nearing the culmination of its preseason tour with several tasks at hand. Beyond the headaches caused by the defense in their recent matches, ‘Tata’ Martino awaits the breakthrough of their star signing for this year, Luis Suárez. The ‘Pistolero’ has only found the net in one of the four matches he has played with the Herons and that came against Al Hilal. In the last game against Hong Kong, he didn’t get any playing time. Japan next.
Suárez and Messi partnership key for Miami
At the beginning of the year, Inter Miami announced with great fanfare the signing of Suárez, an open secret whose saga began last summer but didn’t conclude until January. The franchise thus secured one of the best forwards of the past decade to revitalize David Beckham’s project, which was accused of serious ‘Messi-dependence’ last season. Suárez’s arrival is seen as a strategic move to ensure the team’s results are no longer solely dependent on the Argentine.
During his time at Grêmio, Suárez established himself as the best forward in all of South America, with all due respect to the likes of Endrick and Germán Cano. In the 53 matches that the Uruguayan played for Tricolor, he found the net 26 times and provided 17 assists. In other words, the Uruguayan scored or assisted in just over the length of a single game, to be more precise, doing so every 108 minutes played. Grêmio’s qualification for the Copa Libertadores was largely thanks to the instincts of the former Ajax, Liverpool, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona player.
Suárez’s early goal struggles for Inter Miami
Suárez’s adaptation to Miami’s style of play is proving difficult. In his initial appearances with the pink-clad team, the ‘Charrúa’ managed to open his goal-scoring account in the third preseason game, in the defeat against Al Hilal. His matches have been characterized by a more combinative style of play, moving away from the penalty area, his natural habitat, to be closer to the play, and the team has suffered as a result.
Furthermore, his knee problems have ultimately hindered his playing time. ‘Tata’ Martino gave him a rest in Hong Kong after he had started in three of the previous four matches. The Uruguayan, as with Messi, may have played at the very top table of the Beautiful Game, but time is catching up with them and injuries will play their part. There was talk of retirement during his time at Grêmio, but a ‘last dance’ alongside Messi, Busquets, and Jordi Alba changed the player’s mind. But will we ever see them close to their best again?