MLS
What is Inter Miami team for Atlanta United today?
With Copa América looming, Tata Martino will aim to get the most out of the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets.
The lights are back on at Chase Stadium. After a titanic journey to Canadian soil, Inter Miami returns home to face their final matches with Lionel Messi. The Herons will host Atlanta United on Wednesday evening with the good news Messi, along with Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, will be in Tata Martino’s starting eleven.
Three of Miami’s four ex-Barcelona superstars were rested for last weekend’s trip to the Vancouver Whitecaps but all return to take on Atlanta. Here’s the confirmed team news for Inter Miami...
Messi, Suárez and Busquets back for Miami
Following the situation that shook Montreal with a wave of protests, Martino will once again have his best players available as they approach the crucial final stretch before a summer packed with the Copa América, Euro 2024, and the Olympics. Both the Argentine and the Uruguayan, who were rested for rotation purposes, are key pillars for Martino this season. Competing for the Golden Boot, both have been confirmed by the coach to return to the starting lineup.
“The idea is for them to be present in both games [Atlanta and St. Louis]. But first, we have to play tomorrow’s match to think about St. Louis after,” Martino explained. It is expected that Matías Rojas will complete the attacking trident.
Alongside those stars, Miami will also have another key player, Sergio Busquets, back in action. The Spaniard, who was also rested against the Whitecaps, has been virtually ever-present since the season began. As one of the few untouchables in the squad, he is expected to return to the field, flanked by Gressel and Cremaschi. In defense, Jordi Alba has returned to his best form after several weeks on the sidelines. The full-back is gradually getting back into action and is also expected to start today.
Predicted Inter Miami lineup against Atlanta United
Inter Miami XI: Drake Callender; Marcelo Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, Sergey Krivtsov, Jordi Alba; Julian Gressel, Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi; Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Matías Rojas.
Inter Miami needs to win their last two matches to reach the mid-point of the season as leaders. They currently top the Eastern Conference with 34 points, one more than Cincinnati’s MVP Arango, but with one extra game played. With international tournaments on the horizon, the Herons need to gather as many points as possible before suffering the anticipated exodus of players that will last until almost early September.