Inter Miami face their biggest game of the season this weekend against Atlanta United in their final best-of-three play-off series match.
The Herons lost 2-1 last weekend thanks to a last-minute Xande Silva winner as the Five Stripes pushed the play-off series to a third and final fixture, where the winner will progress to the next round of the MLS post-season.
With Sergio Busquets missing the game for Inter Miami, there had been hope that the legendary Spanish midfielder would be fit enough to feature for the Herons this weekend against Atlanta at Chase Stadium.
Yet Inter Miami’s open training session gave a hint that Busquets might be absent again for Saturday.
Busquets from Inter Miami training ahead of Atlanta tie
As reported by Michelle Kaufman, Busquets was not spotted in Inter Miami training this afternoon, with David Ruiz and Yannick Bright also missing for the Herons.
With three central midfielders missing for the Herons in training, Tata Martino’s side will be light heading into Saturday’s tie with Atlanta, though Ruiz is set to return for Inter Miami soon with an international call-up unlikely.
Whilst there is a chance that Busquets could feature for Inter Miami on the weekend, the fact that the midfielder was not present today is a stark warning that the former FC Barcelona maestro could miss Saturday’s huge against Atlanta.
And if Inter Miami are indeed without Busquets, the Florida franchise face an uphill battle right from the start against the Five Stripes, who have shown they can beat the Supporters’ Shield champions this season.
Herons have to show they can win against Atlanta without Busquets
Inter Miami have been the masters of defying the odds this season whether it’s from going on their best of form without Lionel Messi being fit to claiming the regular-season points record by the slimmest of margins.
And against Atlanta, Inter Miami need to show again why they’re the best team in MLS by trying to beat a fired up Five Stripes without Busquets, who has been influential this year across the entire pitch.
Inter Miami know they can get the job done without the veteran midfielder, and the options are there for the Herons to replace Busquets heading into this weekend’s must-win game at Chase Stadium.