Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami loses U.S. Open Cup, club coach Tata Martinez defends team

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Inter Miami’s coach, Tata Martinez, spoke to defend the club’s players following their unfortunate defeat at the U.S. Open Cup finals, where Houston Dynamo beat Inter Miami by two goals to one.

Fans and pundits have been speculating about the match, wondering how Inter Miami would fare without their Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi. It was the player that brought the club its fame. His good performance also helped Inter Miami to win a cup last season.

This season has not been a happy one for Inter Miami’s fans so far. The team has recently been struggling to maintain the glory they gained last season after the arrival of Lionel Messi, but it seems that only Messi himself can help them retain this glamour.

Houston Dynamo would have gone away with the two goals they scored against Inter Miami, thereby having a flawless victory, if not for the late goal by Inter Miami’s Josef Martinez. Lionel Messi watched the match in person.

Tata Martinez tried to defend his players after the match, alleging that the team was exhausted.

Much is expected of the team in both in the national and international stages, but they lack the player whose help would satisfy those lofty expectations.

Talking about Lionel Messi, here is what Tata Martinez had to say:

It wasn’t prudent for him to play. Not even for a minute. Yes, he will play before the league is over.

A look at Tata Martinez’ further statement might make one assume he was attacking the officials whose job it is to fix match days.

I thought it was a very exhausted team, really. That’s the reality of things. Some could see that we are not doing well physically or tactically, even. The reality is that we were going to feel the effects of all the games we’ve been playing.

– Tata Martinez.

Even Jordi Alba is still injured, and would not be playing till further notice. Tata Martinez kept his promise that he would allow neither of the players to play, till they are fit to do so. What remains is for spectators to see how serious he will take this statement.

Two more finals are approaching, but Lionel Messi might still be handicapped to play in them.