Lionel Messi is back to 100 percent for Miami, but the Herons have lost two more defenders to injury ahead of their Nashville SC clash Saturday.
WHAT HAPPENED?
At Herons training Friday, Messi was a full participant as Miami gears up for their clash against the Boys in Gold. However, both Jordi Alba and Serghiy Kryvtsov were absent, and have been ruled out for the weekend. Both Leonardo Campana and Robert Taylor trained with the group, but neither will be fit for the clash, either.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Herons injury list is beyond substantial. With the additions of Alba and Kryvtsov, it now makes nine players out with injuries for the match. With the Spaniard not available, Franco Negri will slide into the left-back position, leaving their bench veteran-less.
Ryan Sailor will be the most experienced player on the sideline for Miami this weekend, with four 22-year-olds trailing behind him, 23-year-old backup goalkeeper Carlos Dos Santos and teenagers Noah Allen and Benjamin Cremaschi.
🚨 Inter Miami training:
Messi trains normally ✅
Kryvtsov and Alba absent, are out of tomorrow's game ❌
❓Taylor and Campaña partially train with the group, but should only be available on the 27th against the New England Revolution.
Via @Jarm21pic.twitter.com/7SFj8fWTqX
— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) April 19, 2024
DID YOU KNOW?
Since Messi’s arrival in July 2023, Nashville have not been able to beat the Herons in any competitive match, despite four attempts.
WHAT NEXT FOR MIAMI?
The Herons’ clash with Nashville SC Saturday evening in an Eastern Conference showdown. Messi and Co. will be looking for another positive result to keep them top of the league.