Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami crushed 5-2 by Atlanta United | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Inter Miami made the strategic choice to rest Lionel Messi, and this decision proved costly as they faced their first defeat since the Argentine superstar joined the club. In a challenging match against Atlanta United on Saturday, Inter Miami suffered a resounding 5-2 loss, jeopardizing their playoff aspirations.
Messi was notably absent from the lineup, having undergone an intense series of matches since his debut with Miami in late July. Miami’s head coach, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, explained after the defeat that Messi was dealing with “muscle fatigue,” making it unwise to include him in this game.
Although the 36-year-old Messi had missed Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in La Paz earlier in the week, he had watched from the sidelines as his teammates played. There were no reports of any injuries, though. In the previous week’s game without Messi, Miami managed to secure a 3-2 victory against Sporting Kansas City. However, this time around, their fortunes took a sharp turn.
Miami did take an early lead in the 25th minute with a skillfully executed goal by the in-form Ecuadorian striker, Leonardo Campana. Campana expertly controlled the ball after Dixon Arroyo’s shot rebounded off the crossbar, eluded Miles Robinson with a deft touch, and then volleyed it home with his left foot.
Nevertheless, Atlanta, positioned sixth in the Eastern Conference, responded decisively with three goals in just eight minutes. French midfielder Tristan Muyamba’s glancing header, which hit the inside of the post, was deemed to have crossed the line with the assistant referee’s decision. Five minutes later, Atlanta surged ahead when Brazilian winger Xande Silva dribbled to the byline, and his cross was unfortunately turned into Miami’s own net by defender Kamal Miller.
Miami’s defense, missing former Spanish international left-back Jordi Alba, struggled to regain their footing, and Atlanta capitalized with Brooks Lennon adding a third goal in the 44th minute after being set up by Caleb Wiley.
Miami did manage to pull a goal back in the 54th minute when Tomas Aviles’ shot struck the arm of Atlanta defender Luis Abram, resulting in a penalty. Campana calmly converted the penalty, sending Brad Guzan the wrong way.
Throughout the game, Miami, known for second-half comebacks during Messi’s tenure, pressed forward in search of an equalizer. However, lacking the impact of the former Barcelona star, they were unable to sustain their momentum.
Atlanta exploited Miami’s forward push and capitalized on the counter-attack. In the 89th minute, a well-executed break saw Georgian substitute Saba Lobjanidze setting up Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, who slotted home his 14th goal of the season, tying him with Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar as the joint top scorer in MLS.

With this defeat, Inter Miami remains second to last in the Eastern Conference, trailing D.C. United, who occupy the ninth place and the final playoff spot, by six points. Martino defended the decision to rest Messi and Alba, both dealing with muscle fatigue, as they face a hectic schedule of league matches ahead, including games on Wednesday and Sunday, leading up to the US Open Cup final on September 27.
“We risked worse consequences if they came to play this game. It has nothing to do with the (artificial) surface,” he said.
“Sometimes it is difficult to make decisions because these are also decisive matches but there is a final on the 27th,” added the former Argentina national team coach.
Earlier the ‘Hudson River derby’ between New York City and New York Red Bulls ended goalless.
Later on Saturday, Los Angeles FC host cross-city rivals L.A. Galaxy in their derby while last year’s MLS runners-up, the Philadelphia Union host Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati.