Inter Miami CF Gets Thrashed 3-0 In Tata’s Debut; Last Match Before Messi

City Park – Inter Miami CF received a 3-0 thrashing from St Louis City Saturday night in Tata’s Debut. It’s the last match before Lionel Messi joins the squad on the pitch. St Louis scored two goals off corner kicks in the first half by Samuel Adeniran and Tim Parker, while Eduard Lowen got on the scoreboard with a free-kick banger late in the second half.

Kick Off

The Tata Martino era began with a couple of surprises in the Starting lineup, with Lawson Sunderland and Robbie Robinson among the starters. Martino used an initial 4-3-3 formation with Josef Martinez at striker flanked by Robbie Robinson and Robert Taylor.

Starting XI #InterMiamiCF #MLS https://t.co/IL7w3weInD

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 16, 2023

After an uneventful start to the match for both squads, St Louis got on the scoreboard via a Samuel Adeniran header off an Indiana Vassillev corner kick service at the 28′ minute. Adeniran was unchallenged as the Inter Miami CF defenders looked on as he put the ball past Drake Callender for the 1-0 City lead.

Corner kick & goal for #StLouisCity…Adeniran skies over several #InterMiamiCF  players that just stand & and watch it go in 27’ minutes 1-0…#MLS #Messi𓃵
pic.twitter.com/XfK27v8eHz

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 16, 2023

Despite having less ball possession, St Louis was the more menacing team and once again found the back of the net off a corner kick header. Tim Parker ran free of Inter Miami defenders and soared to smash the ball into the back of the Miami goal, City led 2-0 in the 40′ minute of the first half.

Miami is Swiss 🧀 on corner kicks… Parker out-jumps everyone to crush the ball ⚽️ into #InterMiamiCF   net 2-0 39’ minutes…Tata’s debut looking dim in the first half…#MLS #Messi𓃵
pic.twitter.com/1Qwg1rArz0

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 16, 2023

The match looked dim for Miami, Tata’s debut was not going as planned and thankfully the Herons went into halftime without St Louis scoring any more goals.

Tata made two substitutions to start the second half with Leo Campana and DeAndre Yedlin entering for Lawson Sunderland and Noah Allen respectively. The moves improved Inter Miami’s output as the team was more aggressive and began attacking with greater conviction. Josef Martinez and Leo Campana together put pressure on the St Louis backline.

Miami pushed forward but was unable to find a way to score on St Louis, while City flourished on another dead ball situation.

Eduard Lowen launched a rocket over Drake Callender and into the top of Miami’s net for the final 3-0 score.

Lowen with the free-kick Golazo…#InterMiamiCF  down 3-0 80’minute…ugly debut for Tata…#MLS #Messi𓃵

pic.twitter.com/vMlLiEt0lI

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 16, 2023

Postgame Press Conference

Tata was asked about the two goals scored on headers off corner kicks, about what happened, and what needs to be done to improve the situation.

Better communication between players…attention to detail and aggressiveness

Martino made it clear that the players need to be more aggressive while also stating that the team played a hybrid zone and man-mark defensive system. According to Martino, Tim Parker was man marked on the play where he scored his header.

Miami has given up way too many goals on corner kick headers while scoring very few. The players need to look within themselves and figure this out quickly, there’s no margin for error the rest of the season.

I asked DeAndre a similar question about the corner kick goals that were conceded and he mentioned “desire” as a main factor of the defensive deficiencies on corner kicks. Tata’s word was “aggressiveness” and I believe the answers are intertwined. Miami’s players need to communicate better while being more physical and aggressive.

What’s missing from #InterMiamiCF  when defending corner kicks? Yedlin says it’s not a tactical problem…#MLS pic.twitter.com/c0pnk5xOtf

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 16, 2023

Final Thoughts

Inter Miami CF lost another match in a disappointing manner, three dead ball goals were conceded with little or no fight, the first two via corner kicks. The third goal was a free-kick beauty that was caused by a foul on a breakaway when the defense was caught out of position.

Too many things are happening because of a lack of attention to detail, and perhaps desire. These things can only be changed by each player individually, and if they do change, then the collective will improve. It could be too late at this point.

The GOAT is officially a player for Inter Miami CF, and he couldn’t have come at a worst time and at a better time. The worst time is because Miami is on an eleven-game winless streak, and the best time is because Messi and Friends will provide exactly what Miami needs.

Inter Miami is lacking a playmaker, and there is none better than Lionel Messi. Miami is lacking a star player and leader in the midfield, and Busquets should fill that role. Jordi Alba will cement the left-back position once he arrives and provide the needed depth.

The reinforcements are coming at a critical time, Miami is on life support. Can Messi and Friends perform a miracle and turn this wretched season around? We’re going to find out!