Lionel Messi magic needed for Inter Miami as injuries pile up
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Inter Miami's Lionel Messi during training ahead of the Club World Cup.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MIAMI – Inter Miami will have to rely heavily on Lionel Messi’s firepower as they prepare for their Club World Cup opener against Al Ahly on June 14 (June 15, Singapore time), with coach Javier Mascherano forced to reshuffle his backline owing to a string of injuries.
Fullback Jordi Alba, fellow defender Gonzalo Lujan and defensive midfielder Yannick Bright have all been ruled out of the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium.
“They are not available for this game, hopefully they will be for the second game,” Mascherano told a press conference on June 13.
Alba, one of Messi’s former Barcelona teammates, is sidelined with a hamstring issue. There were also concerns regarding the fitness of centre back David Martinez.
“David had some kind of pain yesterday and we did not want to take any risks,” added Mascherano.
“Obviously we would have loved to have everyone fit for this game and have our full roster, that would allow us to be stronger... The reality is that throughout the season, the team have dealt with injuries, but the players who stepped in rose to the challenge. That gives us peace of mind.”
Miami have conceded 16 goals in their last six competitive games and much of their chances rest on Messi’s shoulders.
“He’s in good shape this season. There were moments when we had to give him some time to rest, but he’s played the last 15 games, except for the match against Dallas when we rested the entire squad,” said Argentinian Mascherano.
“We were also fortunate he was able to rest during Argentina’s last two games,” he added, referring to Messi playing 111 minutes in Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia earlier in June.
“It’s our responsibility to create the right environment for him to shine.”
Miami will also take on Porto and Palmeiras in the 32-club event.
Al Ahly coach Jose Riveiro, who took charge in May following the departure of Marcel Koller, believes Messi still has what it takes to shine despite being 37.
“He is a player who can turn the game around at every moment. He’s a player you cannot forget at any moment,” he told a press conference.
“His skill has always been his vision of the game and that has not changed. He is not a coach but he guides the players around him, he’s surrounded with young talent.”
Al Ahly have won four of the last six African Champions League titles. REUTERS, AFP
