As Inter Miami prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s Club World Cup knockout clash, attention turns to their predicted starting XI, with head coach Javier Mascherano weighing a key decision over Jordi Alba’s return to the lineup.
The MLS side, now the last American team standing in the tournament, will take on reigning European champions PSG in Atlanta.
The match is set to be a Barcelona-style reunion, with Lionel Messi going up against former coach Luis Enrique, and lining up alongside ex-Barca teammates Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.
However, Alba’s involvement remains uncertain. The veteran full-back has been struggling with fitness, and his absence has seen Greek U21 international Noah Allen fill in at left-back.
Should Alba be deemed unfit to start, Allen is expected to retain his spot in the backline, which will likely also include Tomas Aviles, Maximiliano Falcon, and Marcelo Weigandt.
Oscar Ustari will remain between the posts for Miami. The 38-year-old Argentine goalkeeper has been the undisputed first-choice since Drake Callender was sidelined through injury.
In midfield, Mascherano may pair Sergio Busquets with either Federico Redondo or Benjamin Cremaschi. On the wings, Tadeo Allende—who scored in the previous round against Palmeiras—is tipped to start on the right, with Venezuelan international Telasco Segovia on the left.
Up front, the ever-dangerous duo of Messi and Suarez will lead the line as Miami aim to upset the European giants.
Inter Miami predicted starting XI:
Ustari; Weigandt, Aviles, Falcon, Allen; Allende, Redondo, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suarez.