Tools of the Match: How Atlanta United Gets a Positive Result on the Road in Miami

Atlanta United returns to Fort Lauderdale midweek to face Inter Miami CF. The 5-stripes look to reverse their recent form, while Miami sits top of the Eastern Conference and looks to continue its good form. Atlanta has drawn two of its last three road games heading into this road contest on Wednesday night. They will face the best attack in the league as Miami has already scored 38 goals in 16 matches this season. An Atlanta win could be the kind of momentum shift the team has been looking for as it prepares to close out a busy May. Let’s take a look at the match tools presented by Home Depot against Inter Miami CF.

Dictate the tempo of the match and impose your physicality on Miami’s talented players

In order to defeat a talented Miami team, Atlanta will need to play at a very high level for a full 90 minutes. They cannot afford lapses in concentration or defensive organization against this team which includes players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Atlanta’s defense will have to impose its physicality both on the ground and in the air. Atlanta ranks among the league leaders in aerial duel winning percentage with 53.3% (8th in MLS). With the return of Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams, that number should only increase in the future.

If Atlanta manages to control the tempo in the midfield and impose its physicality on Miami in order to disrupt its attack, the 5-Stripes could come away with a positive result.

Limit Messi, Suarez and other Miami attackers inside the box

It’s no secret that Inter Miami’s attack centers around Lionel Messi and his strike partner Luis Suarez. The duo has scored 21 of the team’s 38 goals this season. Messi, the greatest footballer of this generation, not only has 10 goals, but also has 12 assists in just 10 matches played. Both do most of their damage inside the box, where Miami has scored 33 of its 38 goals this season. Atlanta’s defense needs one of its best matches of the season, especially inside its own area to limit Miami’s effectiveness. The Herons also have other players who can hurt Atlanta, like Robert Taylor (three goals, three assists) or former 5-Stripe Julian Gressel (five assists) finding the offensive duo with assists. If Atlanta can close the spaces and cut off supply to Messi and Suarez, they can stay in the game and get some points on the road.

Convert set-piece opportunities when they arise

After being one of the best teams in terms of goals scored from set pieces last season (18 goals scored, T-5th in MLS), this season Atlanta has not seen the same kind of success from set pieces. feet stopped. In 14 matches, Atlanta has scored just three goals, all from penalties. One of the tools for success on Wednesday night will be converting chances from set pieces, corners or free kicks, when they come against a tough Inter Miami defense. Atlanta must use its air force on the offensive side as much as defensively. A set goal could bring Atlanta closer to the road points in Miami.

Fans can tune into MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET when the action begins at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. To hear the action on the radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).