sports

Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez fit for Inter Miami-St. Louis clash


Inter Miami assistant coach Javier Morales said on Friday he expects Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez to feature against St. Louis CITY on Saturday night at Chase Stadium in the team’s last MLS game before the Copa América kicks off.

“Everyone is optimum to play,” he told reporters, confirming the players’ fitness.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

“Today we will train, and the coaching staff will watch players but there is no physical problem. Afterwards we will talk to the players but most of all Gerardo Martino will feel the game, and what it needs. But we will play the strongest team to conclude this part of the season strongly before the international window…But everyone is fit and wants to play.”

The team will look to bound back against the Western Conference team after falling 3-1 to Atlanta United on Wednesday. The result broke Miami’s 10-game unbeaten streak, leaving the team “hurt and in a bad mood.”

Martino brushed aside concerns of fatigue within the squad, and insisted the Herons couldn’t use the trip to Vancouver for their previous match as an excuse after the defeat. Historically, Inter Miami has struggled with midweek games, winning only one of the last six scheduled during the week.

Still, Morales insists there will be few rotations for Saturday’s game as the strongest side looks to make the starting team.

“We expect few rotations for the game against St. Louis, because we opted to rotate the squad for the game against the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend. The players that needed to rest rested. Honestly, we know that after the game tomorrow comes the break, and after losing it’s more important to win,” he said.

“The plan was always to play the strongest side against St. Louis, the result on Wednesday did not modify that strategy. We always wanted to play the strongest side, as long as everyone is fit.”

Following the clash against St. Louis, Martino and Morales will be without Messi, David Ruiz and Benjamin Cremaschi as the players join up with their respective national teams. Miami expect more departures, with Paraguay, Ecuador and Uruguay yet to release their official lists for Copa América and the Olympics.

Martino confirmed Messi will report to the Argentina national team on Monday, as La Albiceleste kicks off camp in South Florida.

LEAVE A RESPONSE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *