How Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami prevailed against team ‘better than us’ – with Tata Martino saluting youngsters that are delivering in MLS without Argentine GOAT by their side

The Herons have taken maximum points from two MLS fixtures since losing talismanic captain Messi to the Copa America. With the Argentina international engaged elsewhere, others are having to step up in his absence.

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Ian Fray – on his first MLS appearance in 11 months – and Leo Campana did just that against Columbus, as they netted inside the opening 21 minutes – and Martino told reporters afterwards of seeing his side battle their way to a 2-1 win: “I told the players, ‘we're going to play a team that is better than us’. We knew that we had to play this kind of match. With all the work they’ve done, all the confidence that they have in their players and the confidence that they have in their system, Columbus is not an opponent against whom it’s easy to come and dispute possession of the ball against them. We did very well during the first half, and we used the transitions. The idea is that the three forwards were playing against the three centre-backs and pressuring, and playing three against three when they attack, and that's what they did very well. We knew that we would have a match where we're going to suffer. But we also knew that if we were orderly and applied ourselves, the match would give us some positive results.”

Luis Suarez is also on Copa duty at present with Uruguay, while Inter Miami have lost a number of players to injury, but youngsters such as Noah Allen, Benja Cremaschi, Yannick Bright, Leo Afonso and Shanyder Borgelin are stepping up to the plate. Martino added on the contribution of those that would not be regular starters in normal circumstances: “They became good names in a difficult time for the team last year. So they are perfectly used to continue with their situation and we're very happy with how they play. All the young ones are showing up when we need them. They know what happens when we have all of our roster complete. But right now it's their turn and they have to face it.”

Inter Miami, who remain top of the MLS Eastern Conference as they wait on Messi and Suarez to return from Copa America competition, will be back in action on Saturday when they take in a trip to Nashville.