‘The circus continues’ – Lionel Messi & Inter Miami brace for ‘another final’ as Tata Martino attempts to guide ‘worn-out team’ into MLS play-offs

The Florida-based outfit were unable to get their hands on more major silverware when suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final. That contest took place at DRV PNK Stadium, but there was to be no repeat of the club’s historic Leagues Cup triumph from back in August.

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi helped to inspire that memorable victory, but the Argentine icon is currently nursing an injury and did not figure at all against the Dynamo. He will come back into contention at some stage, with Inter Miami’s focus being narrowed on a late push for a play-off spot in the MLS Eastern Conference.

Head coach Martino has said of that challenge: “Now all that’s left is the league, let’s try it. We have a final on Saturday, we have another final on Wednesday, with a trip to Chicago included. The circus continues.”

The Argentine tactician added on a hectic schedule taking its toll on the Inter Miami squad – with Jordi Alba another key figure to be sitting out games at present: “What I saw was a worn-out team. The reality is that we were eventually going to suffer the consequences of playing so many games. We’ve started feeling it in terms of injuries and we’ve started feeling it in terms of functionality.”

Inter Miami have five MLS fixtures left to take in – starting with a home date against New York City on Saturday – with there a five-point gap for them to try and bridge in order to make the post-season.