Messi goal can’t save inconsistent Inter Miami against Atlanta

MIAMI, Florida. — Atlanta United drove the home fans to the exit in the 75th minute at Chase Stadium with a 3-1 triumph over a disappointing Inter Miami team led by Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.

Miami fans, who usually stay until the final whistle, left early as the Herons struggled to generate anything offensively once again. Even with the return of stars Messi, Suárez and Sergio Busquets to the starting lineup, the team recorded just seven shots in the second half and averaged just 0.64 expected goals (xG) over the 90 minutes, with Suárez (0.26) and Messi (0.18). not reaching the top gear.

The South Florida team, which scored 19 goals in five MLS games from April 14 to May 12 to propel it to the top of the standings, looked lifeless. And while a loss to an Eastern Conference rival may not affect Miami in the long run, questions have rightly been raised about whether its lack of consistency will haunt the team when the playoffs roll around?

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Atlanta entered the game on a 10-game winless streak and ranked 12th in the Eastern Conference standings. The Herons, with their trio of stars and a deep bench consisting of Matías Rojas, Benjamin Cremaschi and Leonardo Campana, were tipped as the big favorites. Yet two goals from Saba Lobjanidze and one from Jamal Thiare, after Messi responded, sent Miami to its third loss of the 2024 MLS season – and the first with Messi on the roster.

“The conditions were favorable, much more for us than for them,” Miami coach Gerardo Martino said afterwards. “It was a football game where we had a better situation going into the game because of the momentum we had and our position in the standings.”

Indeed, this defeat marked the first time since Barcelona’s 2-1 loss to Celta Vigo on May 16, 2021 that Messi lost a match by getting on the scoresheet at club level.

But Miami has struggled offensively of late, scoring four goals in its last five games. Just a few days ago, it took a 1-0 win over DC United as the opposition’s five-man backline too easily stifled Suárez and Messi in the final third, and it took a winner from Campana to the 94th minute to seal the victory.

Consistency has also been an issue, as evidenced by Miami triumphing 3-1 against the same DC United at Audi Field on March 16, with goals from Campana and Suárez reflecting a strong, well-connected attack. In this game, Miami recorded 17 shots and had 51% possession in a dominant performance.

Miami’s two matches against Orlando City in 2024 showed a similar pattern. The Herons recorded a 5–0 victory on March 2, as Suárez and Messi celebrated two goals each, but two months later they failed to break the deadlock in a poor 0–0 draw .

Despite such inconsistent results, Miami leads the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings with 34 points from 17 games – the same number as during the 2023 campaign – and looks likely to clinch a playoff spot playoffs.

However, the playoff format of a best-of-three series in the first round will force Miami to outplay an opponent more than once in the span of a week. And, historically, Herons have struggled to handle the load. The team has only managed to win one of their six midweek matches this season, losing twice to Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup between MLS weekend matches, and now against Atlanta United as well.

“We need to continue to add points and get closer to the number needed to qualify statistically for the playoffs,” Martino said. “After that we have to maintain our level. MLS has two tournaments, the regular season to add points and then the playoffs. You could have a great season, be in first place, then in the first round of the playoffs with a match. you’re out.

In order to win an MLS Cup, teams must be prepared to perform throughout the 10-month regular season and maintain momentum heading into the four-week playoff tournament. A record-breaking regular season may mean nothing in the end, as evidenced by St. Louis City in 2023 after finishing first in the Western Conference standings before falling in the first round of the playoffs.

If Messi and Miami want to make history, they will need to demonstrate more versatility and consistency. At the moment, anything can happen.