In a gripping encounter, Inter Miami clinched a 3-1 victory against Cavalier in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16. Despite the advantageous result, manager Javier Mascherano expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s performance, acknowledging the struggle to secure the win.
Opening the post-match press conference with a striking statement, Mascherano remarked, “We played with fire, and if we play with fire, we can get burned,” highlighting the challenges faced against the Jamaican side.
He elaborated on the difficulties encountered during the first half, where generating attacking opportunities and maintaining possession proved to be a struggle. Mascherano noted the team’s fortune, as the opposition failed to capitalize on several counter-attacks: “In this match, we were lucky because they couldn’t convert their chances.”
Despite the hurdles, Mascherano praised his team’s efforts, acknowledging that the victory reflected the nature of the game. “The matches are played on the pitch; no one gives you anything in football,” he said, adding that his side felt more comfortable in the second half, leading to better scoring opportunities.
Read more: Inter Miami Takes a Step Towards Quarter-Finals of Concacaf Champions Cup Without Messi Responding to inquiries regarding the team’s performance in this first leg, the Argentine was adamant that the club must learn to win matches even when not at their best: “Not every game can be played well; we need to learn to play poorly and win. The players are human, not robots. The key is not to let the opponent grow into the game.”
On the topic of Lionel Messi, Mascherano once again dismissed injury concerns, reiterating that his decision was made in consultation with the medical staff: “I rely on what the doctors say, and they have confirmed that he has no injury or scar. He is fatigued from playing three matches in six days, and we simply want to provide him with rest to alleviate that fatigue. We need to step up and learn to play without him.”
Finally, when asked if he would advise Messi to skip the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Argentina to ensure his recovery, Mascherano responded firmly: “I would never presume to suggest anything to any player, not just to Leo. I know what it means for him, for Argentines, and for South American players to represent the national team, and the best way to help him recover is by allowing him to play as he knows how to do it best.”
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