Inter Miami faces Charlotte FC in a crucial MLS encounter, with all eyes on Lionel Messi’s potential return from a recent muscle overload. Manager Javier Mascherano expressed cautious optimism, suggesting Messi could feature but emphasizing the need to prioritize the player’s well-being.
The match, crucial for both teams’ early season positioning, comes after Inter Miami’s recent Concacaf Champions Cup victory and will serve as a further test of their squad depth and tactical flexibility.
Inter Miami CF is set to face Charlotte FC in an important MLS encounter, with the spotlight firmly on Lionel Messi’s potential return from a recent muscle injury. Messi has missed Inter Miami’s last two matches, raising concerns amongst fans and speculation about his availability.
Manager Javier Mascherano, in a press conference, offered a cautiously optimistic update on Messi’s fitness, indicating a potential return for the game but reiterating the need to prioritize the player’s long-term well-being and avoid any unnecessary risks. The match against Charlotte, representing the third game of the MLS season for both teams, is highly significant in terms of setting early season momentum.
Messi’s potential return and Mascherano’s cautious optimism
Manager Javier Mascherano provided a positive but measured update on Lionel Messi’s fitness, stating, “Messi is much better. Before the MLS game, which we still have a training session for, we’re going to evaluate him. We’re optimistic that if everything goes well, there’s a possibility that he’ll be called up.”
He emphasized that while he wants Messi to play, he wouldn’t take unnecessary risks, particularly during the early stages of the season. This balanced approach indicates a commitment to prioritizing both winning matches and ensuring the player’s long-term fitness.
Inter Miami has shown strong form across multiple competitions since the beginning of the year. Following impressive preseason performances, they opened their official season with a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in the Concacaf Champions Cup and secured their place in the next round following a 3-1 victory over Sporting KC.
They followed this with a 2-2 draw against NYCFC and a 4-1 win over Houston Dynamo. This recent success provides positive momentum going into the match, though they will be conscious of maintaining consistency against various opponents.
Predicted starting lineups for Inter Miami and Charlotte FC
Inter Miami’s Predicted Lineup: Oscar Ustari; Gonzalo Luján, David Martínez, Noah Allen, Jordi Alba; Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia; Tadeo Allende, Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi. Manager: Javier Mascherano.
Charlotte FC’s Predicted Lineup: Kristijan Kahlina; Nathan Byrne, Adilson Malanda, Andrew Privett, Tim Ream; Kerwin Vargas, Ashley Westwood, Brandt Bronico, Wilfried Zaha; Pep Biel, Patrick Agyemang. Manager: Dean Smith. The contrast between the squads, particularly their experience, will be a key factor in the game.
