Unlike the most captivating stories of Agatha Christie, let’s not keep the best for the end: Lionel Messi, will play, not play at the Saputo stadium, Saturday evening?
The short answer: it is very likely, but we cannot advance it beyond doubt.
The long answer: Lionel Messi made the trip with Inter Miami to face the CF Montreal on Saturday evening, in the Sherbrooke Street. The Floridan head coach Javier Mascherano said on Friday morning that his team had had enough rest since his defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, last Sunday, in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup.
“Luckily, we had a long week and it served us well,” he said in front of Miami’s media. We gave two days off [aux joueurs]especially those who have played a lot of minutes. So yes, Leo is available, and with less than an unexpected glitch, he will make the trip. »»
When a player climbs a nolized device for a match on the road in MLS, it usually means that he will be on the match sheet.
And in the case of Miami, it would be all to its advantage of putting all the odds on its side against the CF Montreal, and therefore to take out its Ferrari Messi from the garage. Admittedly, the CFM is last in the Eastern Conference, and the Inter could very well do without its Argentinian talisman to overcome blue-white-black, we get along.
But in MLS, everyone can beat everyone. And Montreal is on a sequence of two victories in three games. He will play with him. The risk of resting Messi may not be worth it on the side of the Herons.
Also, after his four games in the club World Cup, Miami was late in the domestic championship. Here it is in 7e Position in the east, with four games in hand. This club, with all its big investments in infrastructure and in the field, targets the big honors in 2025. And for that, you have to start by giving up points.
Photo provided by Inter Miami
Lionel Messi in training Friday morning
Another factor in favor of a Messi’s presence on the lawn of the Saputo stadium this Saturday: if there is a match that he might want to jump, it might be rather the one on the synthetic of New England next Wednesday. This will be a second game in five days that will be part of a crazy 7 games in 25 days during the month of July for Miami.
In short, the probabilities are good to see Messi at work for a second summer in a row in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. There is something like a good story there for Quebec soccer.
The Messi danger, even “disconnected”
Now, a presence of the pulga in front of the CFM, it does not necessarily make him happy, sportingly.
In the last match between the two clubs, there in May, Miami won 4-2, with two successes from Messi and Luis Suárez, respectively. Montreal had never really been in the blow, even after the goals of Dante Sealy and Victor Loturi. Samuel Piette remembers it very well.
“I have the impression that we were between two,” he said on Friday morning, in the Nutri Center. We wanted to be patient, because it was hot. We didn’t want to rush and lose energy. But at the same time, we were afraid to take risks to be fooled against. […] With guys like Messi and Suárez, it goes very, very quickly against. »»
PHOTO CHANDAN KHANNA, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Lionel Messi (10) in the CF Montreal match against Inter Miami, May 28
This time, he says, it will be necessary to be “even more vigilant” when the CFM is in the offensive phase, and “better manage the ball”.
Piette has now faced Messi and Suárez twice. And his observation is that it is necessary to “always have an eye on [Messi] ».
“As much when Miami has the ball as when it is we who, Messi does a little what he wants,” analyzes the Quebec captain. Sometimes it can be really disconnected. The ball is in their corner in the defensive zone on the right, and it can be completely opposite to the left. »»
Hence this need for constant vigilance. As we know, in the modern version of Lionel Messi, it can be invisible for 89 minutes of a match, but change the course of the meeting with a magic wand that takes everyone off guard.
It is also a bit why Marco Donadel judges “difficult” to prepare for a match against this team from Miami, who also played on the table of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, at the start of the campaign.
“Miami is coming [samedi] After playing double our matches, probably this season has advanced the coach. How will they manage their energy? Will they play at their maximum level? We respect their players, but we want to take advantage of all possible situations. »»
“I hope to be at home, not in Miami”
For Samuel Piette, it is starting to become “a little more normal” to face the one he considers to be the best player in history. But even if he “understands the excitement” linked to his arrival in Montreal, he still hopes that the Saputo stadium will vibrate to the rhythm of men in blue, white and black, Saturday evening.
“That makes a difference,” he said. It is very cliché to say it, but honestly, when you are in a more hollow moment, or on the contrary in a moment when you push, you need this 12e man. It gives an energy boost. So, we hope that the crowd is put behind us, then that there are no Messi songs. »»
Donadel, who nourished the energy of the Saputo stadium last Saturday by vehemently celebrating the first victory of his home team this season, also wishes.
“I hope to be at home, and not in Miami,” said the Italian, smiling. […] We need supporters on our side. With them, and with the desire we have to continue doing things well, I think we can do well against Miami. I’m sure. »»
