Inter Miami face their biggest game of their season this weekend in the third and final play-off clash against Atlanta United.
The Five Stripes pushed the post-season series to a deciding game with Inter Miami now standing on the edge of a shock elimination from the play-offs, with the Herons facing Atlanta at Chase Stadium on Saturday.
With Sergio Busquets not seen in Inter Miami training this week, the Florida franchise could be without one of their most important players taking on Atlanta, who will be full of confidence after securing a last-minute win against their old manager Tata Martino.
And Inter Miami defender David Martinez has shared how the squad are feeling in training this week.
Inter Miami ‘calm’ ahead of season-defining Atlanta United clash
Speaking to the press after training, Martinez shared how Inter Miami’s players are feeling ‘calm’ ahead of Saturday’s huge tie with Atlanta, with the Paraguay international focused on progressing to the next round of the play-offs.
With Martinez tipped as the Inter Miami player to win them the Supporters’ Shield, the on-loan River Plate defender has been a huge success with the Herons since joining earlier this year, with the center-back scoring last weekend in Atlanta.
And the 26-year-old has given a positive message to Inter Miami fans ahead of this weekend’s must-win tie against Atlanta, with Martinez seemingly confident that the Herons can get a result to progress to the next round of the play-offs.
Martinez said when asked if Inter Miami are feeling pressure in training: “No, I don’t see it that way. I see the group as very focused on what we want, which is to qualify and to win on Saturday. We don’t think about pressure. The truth is that we’re calm, we want to give everything and to be able to take Inter Miami to the next round.”
Inter Miami need everyone to be on top form for Saturday
Saturday is do-or-die for Inter Miami, with the Herons’ entire season coming down to one game that could lead to the entire Lionel Messi project being viewed as a colossal failure if Atlanta win.
And with such high stakes on the lone, Inter Miami need to ensure that every player involved in the tie at Chase Stadium is at their absolute best, with no room for error allowed if they’re to win.
Indeed, Inter Miami are the best side in MLS and already have the Supporters’ Shield in their trophy cabinet, yet MLS Cup is the real prize, and the Herons must be at their best against Atlanta.