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News, Blog and GuidesInter Miami must do without a key trio of players when they face Orlando City at Exploria Stadium in MLS on Sunday.
Diego Mayel Ibarradiegoibarra21William AllenWAS_AllenUpdate: Sep 24th, 2023 07:51 EDT
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Orlando City – Inter Miami, live online
With Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba already ruled out of Inter Miami’s all-Florida clash with Orlando City, the indications are that Sergio Busquets will also sit out this weekend’s MLS match-up.
Messi, Alba brought off early in midweek
Speaking on Wednesday after Miami’s 4-0 MLS win over Toronto FC, in which Messi and Alba were both substituted in the first half, head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino told reporters there was “no chance” of the pair being fit to face Orlando.
“Leo is struggling with an old scar tissue problem and Jordi has muscular fatigue,” Martino added in a press conference on Friday.
And it is now expected that Busquets, 35, will be rested on Sunday, with one eye on Wednesday’s US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo.
🚨 No Jugará Busquets Tampoco!Hearing from sources that Sergio Busquets will (finally) get some rest and sit out the Sunshine Clásico (El Clásico del Sol) against Orlando City on Sunday.Inter Miami will be without its three biggest stars this weekend. #InterMiamiCF #Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/gbkyVwXClY
— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) September 23, 2023
Miami making late MLS playoff dash
The absence of their star trio is a blow for Miami, as the team makes a desperate, late-season push to qualify for the playoffs.
The Herons currently lie 14th in the MLS Eastern Conference, five points off the wild card places. At Exploria Stadium, Martino’s men will be up against a side that sits second in the East and has won its last four MLS home games.
How will Inter Miami line up in Orlando?
We’re likely to see three of Dixon Arroyo, David Ruiz, Benjamín Cremaschi and Victor Ulloa in the midfield. In defence, Noah Allen is in line to replace Alba on the left, while Kamal Miller is expected to drop to the bench in Orlando. Up front, Leonardo Campana is in contention to come in.
There are question marks over the formation Miami will use, with 4-3-3 and 5-3-2 both possibilities.
Inter Miami’s predicted line-up vs Orlando City:
Goalkeeper: Drake CallenderDefenders: Robert Taylor, Tomás Avilés, Serhiy Kryvtsov, Christopher McVey, Noah AllenMidfielders: David Ruiz, Dixon Arroyo, Benjamín CremaschiForwards: Leonardo Campana, Facundo Farías
