Inter Miami on Sunday came from behind to win 3-2 against Sporting KC at DRV PNK Stadium in Florida. The win kept Miami’s play-off hopes alive. More importantly, the team achieved the victory without their talismanic striker Lionel Messi and that didn’t miss the eye of Inter Miami manager Tata Martino.
Messi is away at the moment on international duty with Argentina but Ecuadorian Leonardo Campana ensured the Argentinian’s absence wasn’t felt in the ground by scoring a brace.
This win will feel even more special for Inter Miami’s players and fans because Miami were on a lean patch before Messi arrived, having gone on an 11 match winless run.
Tata Martino praises team
The performance left Inter Miami coach Tata Martino contended, specially given the absence of Messi. Speaking to the press after the match, Martino made no attempt to hide his pleasure.
“For a group of players who work so much with a teammate who’s the best player in the world, when he’s not playing, it’s also comforting to them to know they can win,” Tata said to reporters after the match.
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Star of the match praises Lionel Messi
Campana, the star of the match, also spoke of Messi’s influence after the match.
“I said it yesterday: I think [Messi] gives a lot of players confidence, now we believe it, we know what we’re capable of,” the Ecuadorian international said after reaching 7 goals 2 assists in the season.
“That was the main thing in getting the three points today,” Campana said.
Campana further talked about how Lionel Messi reacted to the result.
“In fact, Leo was very happy. He wrote in the (Whatsapp) group congratulating us. He, like Jordi and Busi, came here to become champions, to win every game and every tournament. That surprised us all, the desire to continue at the top like they have done it every year. Indeed we really missed it and we are going to wait for it with open arms.”
Messi has maintained his rich vein of form in the national colours too, scoring the solitary goal in the win against Ecuador.
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