Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL – Inter Miami CF lost its first match of the MLS season to a feisty CF Montreal squad on Sunday afternoon 2-3. Fernando Alvarez, Matias Coccaro, and Sinusi Ibrahim scored for the visitors, while Leonardo Campana and Jordi Alba scored for the Herons.
Starting XI
Inter Miami CF made several changes to their starting lineup for the match, rotating players due to load management. Lionel Messi was not on the gameday roster while Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets came off the bench. Leonardo Campana received the start at forward along with Robert Taylor. Lawson Sunderland and Julian Gressel flanked Federico Redondo in the midfield. Jordi Alba, Sergeii Kryvtsov, Noah Allen, Tomas Aviles, and David Ruiz formed the backline of five.
Tata rotates the Starting XI
Campana 🔔 gets the opportunity to show his value today
Sunderland & Redondo form a young & talented midfield
5-3-2 formation for Tata, have #InterMiamiCF figured it out ?
NO #Messi𓃵 #MLS pic.twitter.com/gMuJfN522i
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 10, 2024
Game Action
CF Montreal took advantage of poor aerial defending by Miami to get on the board early in the match. Fernando Alvarez pounded a header past Drake Callender for the CF Montreal lead 13 minutes in.
CF Montreal with an Alvarez header off a corner kick goes on top 1-0 at the 13th minute…Poor aerial defending for the Herons
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 10, 2024
After the poor start, Inter Miami began to have longer possessions and gradually began to take control of the game. Miami was unable to capitalize on any of their opportunities despite coming close. The half ended with the CF Montreal 1-0 lead.
Miami with the wonderful build up Julian Gressel gives Robert Taylor the exquisite pass that bangs off the crossbar…
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 10, 2024
The second half had a chaotic goal-scoring outburst from the 71st minute until the 8oth minute. Leonardo Campana tied the score at one apiece with a header off a Lawson Sunderland cross in the 71st minute.
Sunderland with the chippy assist to Leo Campana 🔔 for the tying goal for #InterMiamiCF #MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 10, 2024
CF Montreal answered quickly off a set-piece header from Matias Coccaro in the 75th minute. The Herons once again were poor in their aerial defending with Drake Callender coming off his line too late.
Montreal takes the 2-1 lead on a Matias Coccaro header… Drake Callender looks lost on the cross
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 10, 2024
Ibrahim Sinusi scored Montreal’s third goal three minutes later to give the Canadians a 3-1 lead. It seemed like the air was taken from under the Heron’s wings.
Josef Martinez with the assist for the Wanyama goal 3-1 Montreal
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 10, 2024
When it looked like Montreal had iced the game, Jordi Alba scored a spectacular volley in the 80th minute to give the lively crowd hope of a comeback by the Herons.
What a crazy match! Jordi Alba gets one back for Miami to make it 3-2
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 10, 2024
CF Montreal held on for dear life suffering a Miami onslaught until the final whistle. Le Montreal took home three important points from Miami.
Postgame Press Conference
Tata made a particular comment that caught my attention during his press conference. It had to do with how he felt Inter Miami defended,
“I think what worries me is that we are a team that doesn’t defend with strength”
As a ball possession team, Inter Miami usually has opponents chasing after the ball. When it’s Miami’s turn to chase they aren’t particularly good at it, especially when they play a low defensive block. The Herons have looked their best defensively when pressuring opponents high and not giving space or time to move the ball around easily.
Another thing that Inter Miami has lacked is physicality when defending, putting bodies on players, and challenging aggressively. The Herons must be more physical, especially during set-pieces.
Kryvtsov
I asked Segeii Kryvtsov which tactical formation was the most comfortable for him to play in,
“For me it’s not really important to play 3 defenders central or 2” “Maybe one is played high, the line was really high & of course it’s difficult for central defender but it’s part of football it’s ok for us”
I ask Kryvtsov what formation he felt the most comfortable playing,
“For me it’s not really important to play 3 defenders central or 2”
“Maybe one is played high, the line was really high & of course it’s difficult for central defender but it’s part of football it’s ok for us” pic.twitter.com/Llu3ea5N2d
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 11, 2024
Campana
I had the chance to ask Leo Campana about the possibility of pairing up with Luis Suarez at some point during the season,
“It’s something that the coach will decide. We complement each other well, we have a very good relationship. It’s something that may happen in time, depending obviously on the needs of the match”
I asked Campana 🔔 if we might see him & Suarez playing together at forward
“It’s something that the coach will decide, we complement each other well,we have a very good relationship, it’s something that may happen in time depending obviously on the needs of the match” pic.twitter.com/WZX7aj954i
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 11, 2024
Final Thoughts
Inter Miami lost the three points at home with a heavily rotated lineup with the team looking ahead to their CONCACAF Champions match versus Nashville. The 2-3 loss was not terrible since many of the young prospects played extensively and looked good.
The center-backs for Miami are not the most athletic or fast bunch, the defending of balls over the top of the defense into space is poor. Miami’s whole aerial defense is poor, especially during set-pieces. If the Herons are truly going to contend for trophies this aspect of the game must be resolved.
A starting caliber right-back is an urgent need for Miami, Chris Henderson is working hard to get one.
Messi & The Fantastics will show all their class and quality versus a tough Nashville squad on Wednesday night, and I’m confident the team will move on to the next round. It’s early in the season but expectations are high and the pressure is on. That’s just the way Miami’s legends like it.
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