Inter Miami have been on a roll in MLS this summer, a feat made even more remarkable given that Lionel Messi has not played since the start of the June.
The Copa America coupled with an injury in the final has kept the Argentine superstar out of action for nearly six weeks, with Messi set to return for Inter Miami later this month against the Philadelphia Union.
With Luis Suarez setting records with Inter Miami, though, the Herons have not missed Messi at all, with the Florida franchise qualified for the MLS play-offs and leading the Supporters’ Shield race by seven points.
And MLS legend Sacha Kljestan has named which Inter Miami figure has been behind this incredible rise.
Tata Martino praised for getting the best out of Inter Miami
Speaking on MLS Wrap-Up, the former USA international was full of praise for Tata Martino, with the Inter Miami manager lauded for taking the Herons to the next level and cracking the code on how to win without Messi.
Kljestan said on Martino managing Inter Miami: “What he’s done in managing all the different types of players in the team, and imagine he’s done all of this for more than half the regular season without Messi.
“The games Messi has played, he’s been fantastic, but he hasn’t had to rely on the best player of all-time, so he’s had to find different ways. Suarez has been good, Busquets is the leader, the one who dictates the game, Alba joins the attack.
“I’ve even say Tata Martino say: ‘Gressel doesn’t show up on the scoresheet or do things that wow you, but we’re a better team when he’s on the field.’ He’s made all the right decisions, and he’s found the combinations that work for Inter Miami.”
Martino has proved Inter Miami are more than just the Messi team
Since Messi arrived, Inter Miami have been dubbed as a team that can only get results when Messi is on the pitch, a fact that was true during the Argentine’s first few months with the club.
However, one year on since Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami gave fully transformed into a team where every player is key to getting results, with Martino the reason behind this uptick in form.
Indeed, Messi’s absence has been felt and the Argentine returning will be huge for Inter Miami this month, yet the Herons are now a team that can win without their captain, and they’re better for it.