Lionel Messi met high expectations at the start of the new MLS season – he only missed a goal in Inter Miami’s 2-0 win against Real Salt Lake.
Macher des 2:0: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Diego Gomez (v. li.). IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
Some had clearly missed the playoffs the previous year, others had already gotten stuck in the first round. Nevertheless, the clash between Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake was the only logical opening game of the new MLS season, which once again – and even more so – revolves around one thing: Lionel Messi.
And the 36-year-old showed on Thursday night (CET) that he still has no problem meeting the high expectations. The fact that Inter had completed a strenuous preparation for the season with seven test matches in five different countries and that Messi had been injured at times amid much fanfare was not noticeable in the 2-0 home win against Real Salt Lake.
Messi initiates both goals
Messi, who scored eleven times in 14 competitive games last season and led Inter to victory in the League Cup, pulled the strings in front of 21,137 spectators and was involved in almost all of the hosts’ attacks. Although he was denied a goal of his own – defender Glad headed away a free kick towards the goal corner on the line (17th) – the world champion had his feet decisively in the game on both goals.
When the score was 1-0, he quickly passed through to Taylor, who with a bit of luck beat goalkeeper MacMath (39′). Before the 2-0, after a short acceleration in midfield, he played the pass to his old friend Luis Suarez, who immediately crossed to the 20-year-old Paraguayan Gomez in the penalty area – and he made the preliminary decision (83′).
Martino’s greeting to the skeptics
After a dominant first half, Inter, who also had new signing Julian Gressel in the starting line-up, were lucky several times not to concede the equalizer between the two goals. However, coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino was more than happy with the start. “If anyone was skeptical about what this team was capable of, then the first half showed everyone,” said Messi’s compatriot, but at the same time warned against too much euphoria: “It was just one game.”
After all: Inter showed the first signs of being more competitive this year. A place in the playoffs would be the next level for the hype surrounding Messi – and for everyone who earns money from it.