Why Lionel Messi did not play in Inter Miami's 3-2 defeat to Montreal

Inter Miami faced a setback as they lost 3-2 to Montreal, with star player Lionel Messi benched for the game. Coach Tata Martino defended his decision, emphasising the team's long-term performance goals despite the immediate defeat.

Inter Miami's head coach, Tata Martino, stood by his choice to rest Lionel Messi during the recent match against Montreal, despite the team suffering a 3-2 loss. Addressing the media, Martino reiterated the importance of managing key players' fitness over the course of the season.

In his own words, 'We talked about it about a week ago and we agreed that this was the game where he had to rest, regardless of what happened in the game with Nashville."

Martino's emphasis on long-term planning and player durability sheds light on the tactical decisions made to secure the team's performance throughout the season.

The match saw Montreal claim victory in a closely contested encounter, leaving Miami to reflect on defensive lapses and missed opportunities. With both teams scoring late in the game, Sunusi Ibrahim's goal proved decisive.

Martino, according to the Daily Mail, expressed concerns about Miami's defensive efforts, stating, "What worries me is that we are a team that does not defend hard in the moments when it has to defend, be it when the ball is in play or on dead-ball situations."

Additionally, Martino criticized Montreal for time-wasting tactics, suggesting a lack of adherence to the league's intended spirit. He remarked, "There was a team that did not want to play. In each situation of a throw-in, of a goal kick, of a foul, permanently wasted time."