Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup run is over, and it ended in embarrassment. Going into Mexico is never easy, and losing at Monterrey is never something to be ashamed of. But losing like this? Conceding goals the way they did? Letting the game get away from them in this way?
It was astonishingly bad.
After a 2-1 first-leg defeat, Miami needed a result at Monterrey to keep their CCC run alive. But, thanks to a comedy of errors and a series of veteran stars losing their heads, they capitulated. It ended 3-1 on the day and 5-2 on aggregate, but anyone who watched will know that Wednesday’s match was never close..png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
Drake Callender handed Monterrey an early goal. Nicolas Freire was turned like a top on their second and Tomas Aviles was the provider for Rayados’ third. Jordi Alba was sent off late, Luis Suarez nearly lost his mind, Lionel Messi was silent… you get the picture. There was plenty of blame to go around and plenty of Miami players had earned their share – no one wearing pink covered themselves in glory.
Most of the Miami squad will leave Mexico feeling ashamed. For a team this talented with this many veterans, nights like this are inexcusable. Their Champions Cup run is over, and you have to say that, ultimately, Miami got exactly what they deserved in Wednesday night’s beatdown.
GOAL rates Inter Miami’s players from Estadio BBVA…
Goalkeeper & Defense
Drake Callender (4/10):
Actually had some good saves, but his absolutely inexcusable error all but ended the tie. Goalkeepers can never make that kind of mistake, particularly when chasing a goal in a continental knockout competition.
Jordi Alba (4/10):
Got forward and nearly had an assist. Unfortunately for him, Gressel just couldn’t quite reach it, wasting one of Miami’s better chances. Lost his head late with two yellow cards, which were both based out of frustration.
Tomas Aviles (4/10):
Gifted Monterrey their third trying to play out of the back. Inexperience, for sure, but Aviles has made too many of these mistakes this season.
Nicolas Freire (5/10):
Got absolutely cooked on Monterrey’s second goal. Even aside from that, he wasn’t particularly good.
Noah Allen (6/10):
The best of Miami’s three centerbacks, but that isn’t saying much, is it?
Marcelo Weigandt (5/10):
Passing was all over the place and didn’t contribute much of anything defensively. His early return makes the Deandre Yedlin trade seem even more baffling.
Midfield
Sergio Busquets (6/10):
Had one wily veteran move to spring a chance, but didn’t really help much outside of that.
Julian Gressel (5/10):
Was the recipient of Miami’s best chance, but he blundered the attempt. A poor showing from their dead ball expert.
Diego Gomez (6/10):
Energy and effort were there, but not much quality aside from his late consolation goal.
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Attack
Lionel Messi (6/10):
Looked totally dejected by the end of the match. Rayados contained him, and he couldn’t break free. In the end, he notched the assist on Gomez’s goal, but the game was long gone by the 85th minute.
Luis Suarez (5/10):
Found the back of the net once, but was nowhere near onside. Other than that, everyone was watching to see if he’d do something to get sent off once the game got out of hand, and he surely walked that line a few times.
Subs & Manager
Tata Martino (5/10):
You can’t fault him for individual mistakes, but you can blame him for the fact that the Herons never looked ready to play. The tactics were bad, the lack of subs was inexplicably odd; Martino’s choices Wednesday were baffling.
