Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were ‘outclassed’, admits boss Javier Mascherano
Lionel Messi was overshadowed by Evander as FC Cincinnati beat Inter Miami 3-0
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were “outclassed” by FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night – bringing an end to the Argentina superstar’s MLS record.
Messi had scored at least two goals in each of Miami’s last five league games but he rarely threatened at TQL Stadium as the hosts, inspired by Evander, cruised to a 3-0 win.
Evander doubled Cincinnati’s lead early in the second half after Gerardo Valenzuela had opened the scoring and the All-Star midfielder added a third to finish off the Floridians.
It was the fifth successive game in which Evander has netted.
All love for Cincy’s 10.
We heard those M-V-P chants too. pic.twitter.com/Yv4JIIZI2A
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Mascherano blames fatigue for defeat
Miami’s participation in the Club World Cup has left them with a crowded domestic schedule and they looked jaded in their fourth game in 11 days.
Mascherano said: “Yes, I think we were clearly outclassed today.
“From the start of the match, we struggled a lot, especially in the individual encounters, to win. Perhaps one of the reasons is that we were physically very stressed, and in the long run, that ends up costing us.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t play the game we wanted from the start. They put us under pressure all the time. We struggled, we weren’t fresh, we couldn’t be sharp, and well, the truth is, they beat us very well.”
It was Miami’s first defeat in MLS since May 18 and leaves them in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, eight points behind leaders Philadelphia Union albeit with three games in hand.
“Obviously, I’m worried about losing,” Mascherano said. “I’m obviously worried when the opponent outclasses us, and today the opponent outclassed us from start to finish.”
It’s a tight race at the top of the Eastern Conference. pic.twitter.com/mPT06UCNOk
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Ustari blow for reeling Miami
A disappointing night was made worse by a first-half injury to goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
“Regarding injuries, I’m not a specialist,” added Mascherano. “It clearly worries me because, in the end, the team has been suffering from a lot of muscle injuries all season.
“The intensity of the games we’ve played, especially in the last month and a half, has been very, very high. But, well, we also clearly have to find some explanation, improve, and try to avoid it because obviously the team is gradually deteriorating with injuries.”