In the midst of Inter Miami's promising start to the season, coach Gerardo Martino has expressed concerns about the workload placed on star player Lionel Messi. With two games already under their belt and a busy schedule ahead, Martino emphasized the need to manage Messi's energy levels effectively.
Inter Miami, unbeaten in their opening fixtures, have relied heavily on Messi's contributions on the field. However, Martino believes that the Argentine forward has expended too much energy in recent matches, highlighting the team's responsibility to optimize his performance while minimizing fatigue.
"I feel that in these last two matches, he has expended too much energy, and that is also my responsibility to make sure the team operates in a way that we can use him in the best way," Martino stated during a press conference ahead of the team's Florida derby clash with Orlando City.
Messi, known for his versatility and ability to impact games across various positions, has been operating in a relatively free role behind former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. However, Martino acknowledged that this approach has led to significant fatigue for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
"I've been discussing some things with him, and what concerns me the most is the day-to-day and how he is recovering game by game. I feel that in these first two matches, we have relied on him too much, which has caused him significant fatigue in both games," Martino explained.
The coach stressed the importance of providing Messi with service closer to goal, allowing him to capitalize on scoring opportunities and maximize his effectiveness in the final third. Reflecting on past performances, Martino highlighted the need for the team to re-establish their ability to set up Messi for goal-scoring chances within the opposition's penalty area.
"In the Leagues Cup game against Orlando (last season), he often found the ball in the final quarter of the field and was able to finish the play; he scored from inside the area. That's what we need to get back to, the team finding him to make plays and sometimes finding him for the finishes," Martino emphasized.
Amidst concerns about Messi's workload, Inter Miami is hopeful that the arrival of Argentine midfielder Federico Redondo will provide additional support and options for the team. As Redondo awaits the resolution of his paperwork, the club anticipates his debut in the upcoming fixtures, aiming to bolster their squad and alleviate some of the pressure on Messi.
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