Expectations for Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami were extremely high heading into the MLS play-offs after an impressive regular season campaign.
Inter Miami were the standout team throughout the 2024 season, tallying up eight points more than any other side in either the Eastern or Western Conferences – securing their place in the post-season at a canter.
Having been crowned Eastern Conference champions, and armed with all-time great players like Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Miami were widely expected to go on and win the MLS Cup for the first time in the franchise’s history this year.
Messi and co., however, shockingly fell at the first hurdle in the play-offs last week. Inter Miami lost 3-2 at Chase Stadium to an unfancied Atlanta United side who had scrapped into the offseason by finishing in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
What made things even worse, was that Miami had actually taken the lead through Matias Rojas early in the game, before a brace from Jamal Thiare turned the tie on its head. Messi levelled things up in the 65th minute, but a header from Bartosz Slisz in the final quarter of an hour would ultimately prove to be the difference between the two sides, and end Inter Miami’s 2024 season on a disappointing note.
Carl Robinson on how Atlanta United kept Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez quiet in play-off win
Speaking in an interview with Talksport, assistant coach Carl Robinson gave an insight into how Atlanta United set up to prevent Messi, Suarez and co. from deciding the game, revealing that his team’s work off-the-ball was key:
“The relationship that Messi has with Alba, Suarez and Busquets is crazy,” said Robinson. “Alba can be running down the left and Messi can be stood inside the centre circle and instead of crossing it he reserves it back into Messi’s feet.
“You have to be aware of every moment those four players are on the ball because the link-ups that they have with each other is incredible.
“You had to be in control of the game when you didn’t have the ball and that was a big focus that we went into the game with, and fortunately I think it worked.”
What Inter Miami will do during the offseason
One big change that looks likely to occur at Inter Miami during the offseason could be in the dugout. Following the disappointment of an early play-off exit, a number of managers have been touted as potential replacements for Tata Martino.
Reports have linked ex-Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez with Inter Miami in recent days. The Barca icon is currently unemployed having left La Blaugrana following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
The club also look set to be busy in the transfer market, with reports recently emerging that Inter Miami had approached to sign Neymar next year.