Inter Miami Earns A Golden 2-2 Draw In Champions Cup Debut Against Nashville

Geodis Stadium- In a climactic comeback Inter Miami earned a 2-2 draw against Nashville SC in their CONCACAF Champions Cup debut. Jacob Shaffelburg bagged a brace for Nashville while Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored a goal each for Miami.

Starting XI

The DeAndre Yedlin trade and Jordi Alba’s absence due to illness led to a lineup and formation shift for the Herons away from their customary 4-3-3, with Tata opting to use a 5-3-2 formation. Julian Gressel played right wingback and Federico Redondo made his debut for Inter Miami as the starting right midfielder. Noah Allen filled in for Jordi Alba while Sergii Kryvtsov, Nicolas Freire, and Tomás Avilés formed the back line.

Redondo gets the start in his #InterMiamiCF debut in #ConcaChampions
Gressel moves to right wing back in Tata’s 5-3-2 formation #MLS #Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/PtAVufx5vk

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 8, 2024

Nashville Starts Strong

The Boys in Gold came out strong bringing the fight to Inter Miami. Jacob Shaffelburg smashed a shot into the back of the Heron’s net at the four-minute mark, stunning Miami and igniting the home crowd.

Shaffelburg with the early stunner for Nashville 1-0 https://t.co/JDXslggoNM

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 8, 2024

Miami would settle into the match and create chances, but could not get on the scoreboard. Nashville continued to push forward but could not increase their lead. The match went into the half 1-0 with Nashville in command holding a slim lead.

Another Quick Score

Jacob Shaffelburg, with a gorgeous strike, increased Nashville’s lead to 2-0 in 46 minutes of action.

Schaffelburg with the brace early in the second half 2-0 Nashville https://t.co/rJ0gjPxJ8t

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 8, 2024

The match seemed to be getting away from Miami, but Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi combined for a Messi blast to put the Herons back in the game in the 52nd minute of play.

Lionel #Messi𓃵 blasts one in for #InterMiamiCF to close the gap with an important score for the visiting team 2-1#MLS #ConcaChampions https://t.co/uDzxVXm1Qs

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 8, 2024

Shaq Moore scored what seemed to be Nashville’s third goal, but had it disallowed on an offside call. Inter Miami caught the huge break they needed and then they took advantage. Luis Suarez silenced Geodis Stadium with a crushing header in stoppage time to tie the game at 2-2. In a match that could have been disastrous for Inter, the Herons left Nashville with a favorable result.

SUÁREZ with the Header to tie the match at 2-2 in stoppage time..Incredibly important goal for the Herons…

pic.twitter.com/D46mvQLALM

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 8, 2024

Final Thoughts

The Herons looked feeble defensively on both of Shaffelburg’s goals. In the first goal, Kryvtsov missed a challenge that allowed Nashvile’s Shaq Moore to pick up steam and feed Shaffelburg for the score. On the second goal, Shaffelburg easily maneuvered in a sea of Heron defenders to finally strike the ball beautifully for the score. The Inter defenders appeared confused about their assignments when they played a backline of five.  Tata and the boys need to clean that up.

Luis Suarez is a stud. He finds a way to be available for a pass to score himself or to provide an assist for a teammate.

CF Montréal is in town to face Miami this Sunday afternoon at Chase Stadium, and that would be the perfect opportunity for Martino to rest his veteran starters. Tata said that he knows what his players need because he is the one who sees them day-to-day. I would like to see Suarez, Messi, and Busquets get some rest to be fresh for the second-leg match against Nashville.

If Tata does give some starters a rest, the young players coming in need to take full advantage of the opportunity. David Ruiz, Federico Redondo, and Noah Allen must show MLS that they are more than just “Messi & The Fantastics”.

Inter Miami clawed back from a certain defeat against Nashville dramatically and excitingly. This team is full of veterans who know how to win it all and despise losing. They are setting a standard and cementing a winning culture that should endure after they are gone.

Inter Miami is either loved or hated, there doesn’t seem to be any in-between. Whether you hate or love Miami, one thing is certain, you will go out of your way to watch them play.