Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, has confirmed that Lionel Messi will be fit to take on Porto in the Club World Cup on Thursday, despite experiencing some discomfort during training.
A video surfaced of Messi appearing to touch his left leg during Wednesday’s session; however, Mascherano reassured that the seasoned forward is ready for Miami’s second Group A match in Atlanta.
“On the journey from Miami to Atlanta, I noticed reports emerging about it, but Leo is fit; he completed the entire training session,” Mascherano stated to the media.
“He was touching his leg; sometimes players adjust themselves, but there’s no issue. He’s in shape, and of course, he’ll be playing tomorrow.“
The coach indicated that Messi’s former Barcelona colleague, Jordi Alba, will be available after missing the initial 0-0 draw against Al Ahly due to an injury.
“We’ll evaluate the best option for us regarding whether he starts or not,” the coach mentioned. “To be honest, I already have an idea, but I won’t share it with you.”
Mascherano further highlighted that controlling possession would be crucial against Porto, a side accustomed to competing in the Champions League, who are expected to pose a significant challenge for the MLS outfit.
“We have players who perform better when they have possession, dominating the game and controlling the ball,” noted the Argentine.
“However, we’re up against a team that’s also adept at that; they are a high-quality side.
“But on the field, it’s 11 versus 11. We’ll aim to nullify their strengths, exploit their weaknesses and strive for a commendable performance to secure a positive result.“
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Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets, a member of Spain’s victorious 2010 World Cup squad and another former teammate of Messi’s at Barcelona, acknowledged the formidable challenge ahead at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“They’ve got some exceptional players; they’ve strengthened their squad and we’re aware that it will be quite tough,” Busquets explained to reporters.
They’re a team that competes annually for their league title against other top teams like Sporting and Benfica.
“We’ll endeavour to be as solid as possible, stay compact, and aim to perform at our best as a unit.
“If opportunities arise, we have individuals capable of finishing, but importantly, we need to be solid and secure a clean sheet.
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