Lionel Messi was restricted to a second-half look as an alternative as Inter Miami drew 2-2 at Atlanta United on Wednesday night time.
With the Herons enjoying their second of three video games inside per week, Messi started the match on the bench. Coach Gerardo Martino had said he didn’t want to overwork his star player, who’s getting back from an damage with the membership within the midst of a busy stretch.
To the delight of most of the 67,795 followers in attendance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Messi got here onto the sphere to affix the motion within the 61st minute, changing Julian Gressel.
Simply two minutes earlier, Miami had retaken the lead via Leonardo Campana‘s deflected strike shortly after Atlanta’s Saba Lobjanidze had canceled out David Ruiz‘s opener for the guests from South Florida.
Messi had a shot saved with an opportunity to increase his aspect’s lead however a spectacular late equalizer from Atlanta’s Russia worldwide Aleksei Miranchuk meant Miami’s run of five-straight MLS victories got here to an finish.
“Messi all the time appears to be like good, and tonight was no exception,” Miami assistant coach Javier Morales mentioned after the sport.
“He performed nearly half-hour, the place he seemed energetic. He had possibilities at aim, so like all the time his efficiency was constructive for the staff.”
Martino made a number of adjustments to his lineup for the midweek recreation in Atlanta, with Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba becoming a member of Messi in ranging from the bench earlier than approaching within the second half.
“Now we have three video games this week and numerous gamers suspended so for this recreation Tata Martino and the teaching workers thought this was the right staff to face Atlanta. I believed it was a very good resolution, since we nearly took house the three factors,” Morales added.
Miami stays with one of the best report in Main League Soccer and is making an attempt to lock up the Supporters’ Protect and home-field benefit all through the playoffs.
The 37-year-old Messi made a mesmerizing return to Miami’s lineup this past Saturday after a prolonged absence, scoring two objectives and helping on the third in a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
He did not play a yr in the past when Inter Miami visited Atlanta, disappointing a crowd of 71,635.
The Argentine star and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had not performed with Inter Miami since June 1 due to nationwide staff commitments and a proper ankle damage sustained in a 1-0 victory over Colombia within the Copa America remaining on July 14.
Messi has 14 objectives and 14 assists in league play, regardless of enjoying simply 14 matches.
Inter Miami subsequent visits New York City FC on Saturday.
Info from The Related Press contributed to this report.
