Inter Miami head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino addressed the media ahead of the team's first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal against Liga MX's CF Monterrey. Martino confirmed that Lionel Messi's role for the upcoming match remains undefined as the team continues to assess his fitness.
Messi, who has been recovering from a right hamstring injury, trained with the squad on Tuesday morning. However, Martino emphasized the importance of managing Messi's minutes to avoid risking further injury. The decision on Messi's involvement in the match will be made closer to kickoff.
Defender Nicolás Freire also trained ahead of the Monterrey clash, with his availability set to be determined on match day. The team is dealing with various injuries, including Serhiy Kryvtsov's hamstring issue and long-term absences of players like Federico Redondo, Facundo Farías, Ian Fray, and Robbie Robinson.
Martino acknowledged the challenges posed by the team's injury situation but expressed confidence in the squad's ability to compete. Luis Suárez, who has been a key figure in Miami's attack in Messi's absence, highlighted the team's depth and resilience in coping with injuries.
Inter Miami advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup after winning the Leagues Cup in 2023. The team overcame Nashville SC in the round of 16, securing a 3-1 victory at Chase Stadium after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
As the team prepares to face Monterrey, Martino emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive mindset despite the injury challenges. The focus remains on delivering strong performances and navigating through the season with the available resources.
