MLS
No Messi, no Suárez but Martino still smiling with Inter Miami
The Argentine technical director spoke to the media after Las Garzas’ incredible victory against Philadelphia Union.
Following Inter Miami’s victory against Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park in Week 20 of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino expressed his delight in the post-match press conference. The three points earned away from home have solidified Miami’s position at the top of the Eastern Conference, and the team is eager for more success says the boss.
Reaction to Inter Miami win over Philadelphia
Martino began by explaining the impact of the two red cards on Inter Miami’s strategy.
“The reality is that when we were reduced to ten men after David [Ruiz] was sent off, we aimed to shift to a 4-4-1 formation, using the flanks to exploit Leo [Campana] as a central figure and try to create counterattacking opportunities to cause damage.
“When Toto [Avilés] was also sent off, our initial idea was to set up a 4-3-1 formation. However, we soon realized that having just one player upfront wasn’t benefiting us. We then decided to form a line of four defenders and four midfielders, focusing on letting the wide players attack. In the end, this adjustment led to the goal in that manner.”
The South American coach also took the opportunity to praise the efforts of his players.
“Obviously, there’s an element of sheer effort, character, and guts that the boys showed, despite the numerous mistakes we made, to pull this match through and secure the win. In most cases, nine out of ten times, you end up losing these kinds of matches.”
Tata supports David Ruiz and Tomás Avilés
“The positive aspect of these results, beyond what they mean for the team – winning a match with two players down, and away from home – is that the learning experience for them is coupled with a victory,” Martino continued. “This allows them to process it in a different way.
“When such incidents are accompanied by a loss, the criticism would undoubtedly be harsher, and the self-reflection much deeper. In this case, because we won, we can approach it with a bit more calmness, and they can understand that there’s a lesson to be learned. Typically, errors like these would cost you the match.”