Lionel Messi might be starting for Inter Miami today (May 10), but fans are still baffled by head coach Javier Mascherano’s starting lineup decisions to face Minnesota. The fans have been left puzzled, as Mascherano has opted to start a game without any natural wingers on the pitch.
The Herons are set to play in the 4-3-3 formation. Oscar Ustari will start as the goalkeeper, protected by a back four of Marcelo Weigandt, Gonzalo Lujan, Noah Allen, and Jordi Alba. Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, and Federico Redondo are expected to play in holding midfield.
However, up front, it gets a little tricky. There is no out-and-out striker, with Lionel Messi likely to play in a false-nine role. Midfielders Benjamin Cremaschi and Telasco Segovia look like they could be playing in attack, despite forwards like Leo Afonso and Allen Obando on the bench.
The situation has baffled the fans to no end, as they made comments like these on X:
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has reacted to recent reports of Lionel Messi’s seeming frustration after games. In a 4-1 win over the New York Red Bulls on May 4, Messi scored a breathtaking goal.
However, the Argentine legend appeared agitated, immediately going into the locker room after the game without taking time to celebrate with the team. Mascherano spoke about the situation with the press, discussing the 37-year-old’s frame of mind (via GOAL):
Before Lionel Messi’s reaction, Inter Miami had only just weathered a three-game losing streak. Losses to Vancouver in both semi-final legs of the CONCACAF Champions Cup were worsened by a 4-3 league loss to FC Dallas.
Currently, Inter Miami are fourth in the East Conference on 21 points. A victory over Minnesota United will take them to the top of the league table.
Nnanna’s favorite club is English team Bolton Wanderers because he witnessed Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha’s play for them between 2002 and 2006. His favorite footballer is Ronaldinho due to the Brazilian’s love for the sport and admires Pep Guardiola for redefining football tactics. As a former literature student, Nnanna reckons that the best way of connecting with the readers is to add a bit of empathy in his writing, and relies on trusted websites like Transfermarkt and WhoScored for his articles.
Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup trophy in 2022 is Nnanna’s favorite FIFA World Cup moment, and also follows Major League Soccer due to the diminutive Argentine. He strongly believes that Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland could be the next two superstars in the same light as legendary pair Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
When not writing, he likes to play Football Manager and other simulation games.
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