Inter Miami headcoach Javier Mascherano spoke to the media after his team’s game against Palmeiras in their final fixtureof the Club World Cup group stage. Inter Miami will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the next round, which corresponds to the Round of 16.
Luis Enrique’s team comes in as the favorite, being the current Champions League titleholder, but after their defeat against Libertadores champions Botafogo, their favored status seems to have been overshadowed by the strong performances of South American sides.
The Greatest of All Time
Among other topics, Javier Mascherano spoke about the crucial role Lionel Messi plays for his team. The Argentine, already established as the greatest player of all time, continues to deliver masterclasses and showcase footballing elegance at 38 years old, and shows no signs of slowing down. He’s been putting on stellar performances in this Club World Cup, and it’s no surprise that, for his coach and former teammate, Messi is more than just a key player – he’s central to the entire project.
That said, Mascherano needs a motivated Messi – or, as he put it, an angry Messi:
“It’s better for us when he plays angry. He’s one of those players who, when he’s got something stuck in his head, gives you an extra edge,”Mascherano explained.
In any case, for Inter Miami to pull off a surprise win over PSG, they’ll need a great performance from both Messi and Luis Suárez , and, above all, a perfect game from the entire squad.
“We know that to have any chance, we have to play a perfect game,” he added.
The worst rival…
However, even that might not be enough. PSG has proven throughout the season what fierce competitors they are. They’ve dominated European football this year, and although the weather conditions in the United States may not suit them, that’s no excuse to doubt a team that has delivered some of the best football all season – and Mascherano is well aware of that.
Inter Miami and PSG will face off on Sunday the 29th at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It will also be a special match for Messi, who will come up against his former club, one that left him with bittersweet memories. This is the perfect opportunity to solidify a very promising project that blends experience and youth throughout the squad.
Inter Miami wants to continue making history step by step, and their next obstacle is Luis Enrique’s mighty PSG. Mascherano knows his team will need to play a perfect “10 out of 10” match – just as Luis Enrique knows PSG will need to minimize mistakes if they want to advance.
We’ll have our answers this Saturday.
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