Martino: “We are not here to destroy Messi”

Gerardo Martinotechnician of between miamiis boasting a 0-2 victory against new york red bulls and ensured that the management of the registry of Leo Messiwho debuted as a replacement for MLS and scored in the last stretch, it was decided thinking only about the welfare of the player.

“I understand people’s desire to see him play. It will happen to us anywhere,” said the former coach of Argentina, Mexico and Paraguay.

“We can’t deviate from the plan because to do so would kind of mortgage the body Leo and we are not here to destroy the player, but rather so that he can perform to the fullest,” he explained in a press conference.

“I don’t have to apologize to the people, but somehow I understand their demands. But we cannot be guided by the desire of the people only,” he added.

there is a stadium Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey full of Messi fans, the between miami they won 2-0 with a goal from Paraguayan Diego Gómez and another from the Argentine in the 89th minute.

Messiwho played his first game in MLS, has eleven goals in nine games with Inter Miami (counting the Leagues Cup, US Open Cup and MLS) and all of them ended in victory for the Florida team.

Before the arrival of 10 of the albiceleste, the between miami they have accumulated eleven games without a win in the league (eight losses and three draws).

“Talking to Messi It was just to explain to him that we have three games in a week, that we are coming off a massive breakdown, that he has to stop at some point,” he commented. Martinwho said he saw the “logical” he breathed in this meeting.

“And he agreed,” added the coach, who achieved the “two goals” he set for himself: to recover the players and return from this match with three points.

At this point, Martin warned that of Inter MiamiHe has to “get used to” playing without his captain, not only because of rotations but also when he leaves with the Argentina team.

“Leo will go to his team, he will not miss at least three games this year, next year the same will happen… We have to understand that when he leaves the team he has to continue to be reliable,” he explained.

“He came from an important hustle and bustle with all the games over the last month (…). It is good for him to recover a bit,” said Martino, who assured that “there is nothing unusual,” Messi will play the next two matches: on Wednesday against Nashville at home and on Sunday against Los Angeles FC (LAFC).

Finally, Martin He said that they are “very low in the table”, he pointed out that they have now only taken the “first step” and pointed out that “there is still a long way to go” to continue climbing the positions and enter the MLS playoffs.