Javier Mascherano has called Inter Miami’s Champions Cup semifinal against Vancouver Whitecaps “the most important game in club history.” The coach is determined to lead his team to victory in the prestigious tournament.
“It’s the most important game in the history of the club.” The phrase belongs to Javier Mascherano and he said it at the press conference before his Inter Miami‘s match against Vancouver Whitecaps for the first leg of the Champions Cup semifinal.
When asked by a journalist who covers the day-to-day of the Canadian club about how many minutes Lionel Messi will play, he was blunt: “I don’t talk before the game about who is available.”
El Jefecito knows that tomorrow is an important game, in which, due to the famous away goals rule that governs in the tournament, it would be important to score a goal, but he is not desperate because he is clear that the pass to the final will be defined a week later at the Chase Stadium. “We have a 180-minute game and tomorrow is the first half, it is important to play well and try to score, it is important to do it away from home. We want to have the ball, we train to win.“
About the rival, which is one of the sensations of the MLS, is first in the East and left Monterrey and Pumas of the Liga MX on the road, Masche valued: “It is a team that does not need much possession to hurt you and that has imbalance, we will try to reduce its strengths and try to take control of the game playing in its field.”
Taylor departs, more changes possible
In recent hours, the departure of the Finnish attacker, Robert Taylor, who will continue his career at Austin FC, was announced. “It was a decision of the club, they thought it was a good business, I wish him the best in this new stage, I spoke recently with him and thanked him for these four months, he is a great professional.”
In addition, in recent hours the rumor has emerged that Julian Gressel could follow in Taylor’s footsteps, when asked, he said that “there may be news on that issue.”
Potential lineup changes
Who could get into the starting team? Although they run, in principle, from behind, the names that would be with some possibility of leaving the start are those of Ian Fray or Gonzalo Luján as right back in case he wants to protect himself a little more on that side, Redondo (if he is 100% would fight for a place with Bright) and that of Benjamin Cremaschi who left a great sensation in the CT in the last game against the Crew, in which he scored the winning goal.
Mascherano’s comments highlight the importance of the Champions Cup to Inter Miami and their determination to advance to the final.
