Lionel Messi-Less Inter Miami Suffers First Loss in Front of 71K Fans
In a high-stakes clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Inter Miami, missing Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, faced a humbling 5-2 loss against Atlanta United in front of a massive crowd of 71,635 on Saturday. Here's the breakdown:
First-Half Fireworks
Tristan Muyumba, Brooks Lennon, and an unfortunate Kamal Miller own goal put Atlanta United in a commanding lead at the end of the first half. The home crowd was electrified!
Atlanta's Dominance
Georgios Giakoumakis and Tyler Wolff continued the onslaught in the second half, securing the victory for Atlanta United. Their impressive performance at home (9-3-3) keeps them in sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 45 points.
Campana's Heroics
Leonardo Campana, however, was a bright spot for Inter Miami, netting two goals. His second came from a penalty kick, narrowing the gap early in the second half.
Giakoumakis Seals It
Giakoumakis silenced Inter Miami's hopes with a crucial goal in the 76th minute, restoring Atlanta's two-goal lead. His 14th goal tied him for the league lead.
Scoring Spree
Inter Miami initially opened the scoring with Campana's eighth goal of the season, but Atlanta responded swiftly, netting three goals in just eight minutes. It was an exhilarating display of skill and teamwork.
Messi's Absence
Inter Miami manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino clarified that Messi and Alba's absence was due to "muscular fatigue" and not related to the FieldTurf surface. Messi's absence surprised Atlanta United coach Gonzalo Pineda, who found out about it on social media. Despite the buzz, Pineda urged his players to stay focused.
Miami's Upcoming Challenges
With matches against Toronto and Orlando on the horizon, Inter Miami faces a busy schedule. Additionally, they are gearing up for the U.S. Open Cup final against the Houston Dynamo in just a few days. Exciting times ahead!
