Atlanta United coach Gonzalo Pineda has now shared how he managed to stop Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez last night in their 3-1 win against Inter Miami.
The Herons finally tasted defeat after ten games unbeaten in MLS as Inter Miami were beaten with ease by Tata Martino’s former side Atlanta 3-1, who enjoyed their first win in all competitions in over two months.
Whilst Messi returned to the scoresheet with a fine strike from distance, Inter Miami were completely outplayed on the night by their Georgia rivals, who turned up in a big way at Chase Stadium to pick up three huge points in Florida.
And manager Pineda has shared how Atlanta were able to stop Messi and Suarez.
Messi and Suarez stopped by Atlanta’s defensive set-up vs Inter Miami
Speaking to the press, Pineda detailed how Atlanta were set-up to always have three players on Messi and Suarez at all times, a tactic that worked like a charm against Inter Miami.
Messi’s goal came from distance as the Argentine and Suarez failed to do much inside the 18-yard box, with Atlanta ending their winless streak with a big result against MLS’s form side in Inter Miami.
Pineda said when asked how Atlanta stopped Messi and Suarez: “I think understanding that Messi and Suarez were going to be on top, I wanted to have always a three vs two against them. The players did amazing in terms of those times.
“There were different difficult moments in the game where we didn’t read them or they were using balls in the buildup, but then we were always a good base of three players defending so that was also part of the why is because I wanted to be protected in the middle of the field in transition moments.”
Inter Miami simply had to win last night with Messi and Suarez leaving soon
With Messi and Suarez due to play one more game for Inter Miami before departing for the Copa America, the Herons simply had to win last night against Atlanta.
The Five Stripes came into yesterday’s game winless in nine and in arguably their lowest point yet in MLS, with Atlanta there for the taking for Inter Miami in their quest for Supporters’ Shield glory.
However, Inter Miami bottled the mission big time, and with two key players in Messi and Suarez leaving after this weekend, last night was a game the Herons had to win to keep up their pace.