Home SPORTS Messi's Inter Miami Faces Uphill Battle in Club World Cup

Messi's Inter Miami Faces Uphill Battle in Club World Cup

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Inter Miami's Club World Cup journey is under scrutiny due to defensive struggles and questionable qualification via the MLS Supporters' Shield. Can Messi lead the team to success?


Lionel Messi's Inter Miami faces a daunting task to salvage their reputation in the FIFA Club World Cup. After Gianni Infantino's ambitious announcement, expectations were high, but Cristiano Ronaldo's absence has shifted the focus to Inter Miami's performance. Can Messi lead his team to success and justify their participation in the revamped tournament?


Inter Miami's participation in the Club World Cup has raised eyebrows, given their qualification via the MLS Supporters' Shield, an award for the best regular-season record rather than a major trophy. This has led many to question whether they truly earned their spot in the prestigious tournament.


Questionable Qualification

Inter Miami's spot in the Club World Cup looks increasingly undeserved, given their early exits in more prestigious tournaments. With first-round MLS Cup playoff losses, a Leagues Cup Round of 16 defeat, and a recent CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal loss, their qualification via the Supporters' Shield seems like a weak foundation for global stage participation.




The announcement that Inter Miami would kick off the tournament against Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium failed to generate significant excitement among football fans. Even Lionel Messi couldn't help but chuckle at Gianni Infantino's attempts to hype up the event. While David Beckham's team will be competing alongside top clubs, their current form is a far cry from the impressive displays they put on last year.

Inconsistent Form

Under Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami's performances have been wildly inconsistent, veering from a 5-1 thrashing of Columbus Crew to a demoralizing 4-1 loss to Minnesota United. This unpredictability raises concerns about their chances in the Club World Cup.


Inter Miami's defense has struggled, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 matches, with opponents scoring at least two goals in eight of those games. The team's fortunes rely heavily on the prolific form of Lionel Messi (21 goals, 11 assists) and Luis Suarez (21 goals, 9 assists), whose contributions have masked underlying defensive issues.


Tactical Concerns

MLS analyst Taylor Twellman has been critical of Javier Mascherano's tactical approach, stating, “They give up chances to anyone and everyone, and Mascherano is so stubborn with the tactical setup, they don’t have a chance.” This assessment highlights concerns about Inter Miami's defensive vulnerabilities and Mascherano's ability to adapt his strategy.


“If you start a game with Messi, Suarez and (Sergio) Busquets right down your spine, you’re immediately starting with three players that will not be that aggressive on the defensive side of things.


“The Club World Cup could be a real struggle for them, and it could blow up in their face, and then all of a sudden, that summer transfer window comes, they might have to really figure it out. 


“I just think Mascherano needs to change the way he’s looking at the tactical setup. It would make them a little bit better defensively.”


Defensive Shortcomings

Inter Miami's defensive struggles are evident, with Luis Suarez making just three tackles this season. Lionel Messi's 20 tackles are a marked improvement but still pale in comparison to teammates like Diego Gomez (55) and Marcelo Weigandt (62). The team's defensive lapses underscore the need for significant improvement to succeed in tougher competitions.


Tomas Aviles leads Inter Miami in interceptions with 42, followed by Yannick Bright with 34 and Sergio Busquets with 32. Busquets' role in winning possession in the middle third has been crucial, reflected in his 75.8% pass completion rate, one of the team's best. This highlights his importance to Inter Miami's current gameplay.


Busquets' impact on the team is undeniable, further underscored by his league-leading 2,215 passes, showcasing his pivotal role in Inter Miami's possession-based game and overall team strategy.


Defensive Vulnerability Concerns

Jordi Alba's high passing numbers (1,894) contrast with Lionel Messi's 989, but his defensive limitations could prove costly for Inter Miami. The team's 27 goals conceded in 16 MLS matches (joint-worst in the Eastern Conference top eight) raise serious concerns about their defensive capabilities against strong opponents like Porto and Palmeiras, potentially leading to embarrassing results.



Tactical Adjustment Needed

Taylor Twellman's call for a tactical shift seems apt, particularly in utilizing Jordi Alba as a wing-back rather than an out-and-out left winger. With Alba often positioned in midfield, young left-back Noah Allen is left exposed, highlighting the need for a change to solidify Inter Miami's defense.


Despite Mascherano's challenges, Inter Miami's league position remains competitive, trailing Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union by just two points with a game in hand. However, their Club World Cup prospects seem bleak, with the tournament likely to be a brief stay for Messi and Co., regardless of FIFA's interests in prolonging their participation.




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