“Messi fails to score again as Inter Miami struggles at home.”

Inter Miami stumbles at home again as Lionel Messi fails to shine: draw leaves team on alert

The saga of difficulties for Inter Miami at their new stadium, the Nu Stadium, continued last night with a 1-1 draw against New England Revolution that leaves the team on alert. Even the magic of Lionel Messi was not enough to secure a victory, in a game marked by the Argentine star’s lack of inspiration, as he failed to score or assist for the second consecutive match.

Inter Miami is dangerously sliding down the Eastern Conference standings, now three points behind leaders Nashville, who defeated Charlotte 4-2. At home, the team has not won in three games, despite maintaining an overall unbeaten streak of nine matches.

The initial dominance of New England translated into a goal from Carles Gill in the 56th minute, putting pressure on the Miami team. However, the response came 14 minutes from the end: following an incomplete save from goalkeeper Matt Turner, Luis Suárez’s shot fell to Mexican forward German Berterame, who did not miss and restored parity.

Guillermo Hoyos, Inter Miami’s interim coach, praised the effort of his players, especially after two away victories against Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids. “I want to once again highlight the effort of the group this week, what they gave and how they played against two intense teams, including one at high altitude. I really want to congratulate them after seven days of tough competition,” he stated.

However, Messi had a complicated night, missing clear opportunities. The Argentine captain found himself thwarted twice by Turner with shots from just outside the box and squandered a superb chance seven minutes before half-time, shooting wide in a rather unconvincing manner.

It was then that Berterame took the spotlight, scoring his third goal in four games, thus strengthening his bid for a place in the Mexican national team for the upcoming World Cup. Regarding the forward, Hoyos was categorical: “How can Berterame not be called up to the national team? He has to go, without a doubt. If it were up to me, he would already be in the squad. He is a player who scores goals everywhere he plays, a natural finisher, an excellent player, and an exemplary person.”

Inter Miami now faces a moment of reflection at Nu Stadium, where positive results have been slow to arrive and the pressure is beginning to mount. Messi, the team’s star player, will need to quickly find his best form to lead the team towards solidifying its place among the best in MLS.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.