MLS legend Sacha Kljestan has shared what Inter Miami are doing better with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez away at the Copa America.
The Herons have been without their star attackers for the past two games, yet Messi and Suarez’s absence is seemingly having little effect on Inter Miami’s performances, with the Florida franchise picking up six points from six.
The results have solidified Inter Miami’s standing at the top of the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, with the likes of Ian Fray also returning to action after almost a year out of action due to injury.
And league icon Kljestan has noted why Inter Miami could now be performing better without Messi or Suarez.
Inter Miami playing with ‘more energy’ with Messi or Suarez
Speaking on MLS Wrap-Up, the former New York Red Bulls midfield noted how Inter Miami are more alert and playing with more energy with Messi and Suarez out of the squad, with Leonardo Campana now leading the line for the Herons.
With the Ecuador international on the scoresheet last night against the Columbus Crew, the former Wolves man is taking on the role of spearheading Inter Miami’s attack with both hands, with the rest of the team following suit.
And there has been a noticeable increase in Inter Miami’s energy levels across the last two games, with the Herons scoring a later winner against the Philadelphia Union with just nine players on the pitch on Saturday.
Kljestan said: “When Messi and Suarez aren’t on the field and they have a guy like Campana playing up front, who will press with more energy and who will fight for more balls, it gets the whole group galvanized and to press a little bit higher, and for the first 30 minutes [to go 2-0 up] worked really well.”
Herons cracking the code to win without Messi or Suarez could be huge
Inter Miami’s biggest problem since Messi’s arrival is how do the Florida franchise go about winning games when the Argentine is unavailable, a problem that has been a real nuisance for the Herons in the last 12 months.
Yet these last two wins could hint towards Inter Miami finally cracking the code on how to claim victories without Messi or Suarez, a factor that could make MLS a walk in the park for Tata Martino’s side.
Whilst things can change quickly this summer, the last two games have been a real high point for Inter Miami this season, and maintaining this winning form could be massive in the Herons going all the way to win MLS Cup.