Softfootball can report that Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has admitted he would prefer Lionel Messi to skip this month’s MLS All-Star Game but concedes the final decision rests beyond his influence.
Speaking ahead of the clash between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night, as reported by Marca, the Argentine head coach acknowledged the significance of the All-Star event but voiced concerns over the increasing workload his players are facing.
“The players are called up I’d like them to rest.” “But it’s not my decision. I know how important the All-Star Game is, and as far as I know there’s been no change in plans. Everything continues as normal.”
Miami’s calendar has been relentless since their return from the Club World Cup. Saturday’s fixture will be their third in seven days, with the club pushing to clear a backlog of postponed MLS matches following their continental adventure, which ended in the round of 16 after a narrow defeat to PSG.
The congested schedule is starting to take its toll on the team, as a couple of their players have been ruled out.
Oscar Ustari became the latest casualty after picking up a knock midweek against FC Cincinnati, forcing Mascherano to turn to Rocco Ríos Novo between the posts. The extent of Ustari’s injury is yet to be confirmed, but the concern in the Miami camp is mounting.
Mascherano said he is concerned about his team’s injury woes.
“I’m very worried!”
“The team has carried muscle injuries all season, and it’s directly linked to the number of games we’ve been handed. I’m no specialist, but this is the main issue now.”
Inter Miami’s injury list has grown steadily over the past month, with key players managing minor knocks or missing games entirely. For Mascherano, the challenge now is less tactical and more medical, keeping his squad fit through a run of fixtures that shows little sign of easing.
He added that:
“The intensity in the last six weeks has been extremely high.” “We need to understand why this is happening, and how we can stop it. Because the squad is slowly wearing down.”
Meanwhile, Softfootball has reported how Inter Miami signed Argentine player Rodrigo De Paul for a short spell that could tentatively increase as they solve their injury worries. Although the deal has sparked reactions from fans over the fact that it will be reuniting Messi with a national teammate and friend in the MLS.
Recall that Messi’s influence has brought old friends and mutuals of the Argentine player to the American club. Inter Miami will be seeking to bounce back from their heavy loss to Cincinnati last Thursday on Saturday night when they face 13th-placed Red Bulls.
Miami are currently in the eighth position with 38 points despite three games outstanding.
