Inter Miami manager advises players to focus on performance despite upcoming stadium celebration.
MIAMI — Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano emphasizes that his players need to remain focused and not be sidetracked by the celebrations surrounding the inauguration of Nu Stadium on Saturday night, and instead use the excitement as motivation to secure three points.
The match against Austin FC will signify the Herons’ long-anticipated debut at the 26,700-capacity venue at Miami Freedom Park, following their time at a temporary location in Fort Lauderdale since joining MLS in 2020.
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“Ultimately, we need to be mindful of how we handle our emotions,” Mascherano stated to reporters on Thursday. “We recognize that this is a momentous occasion for the club, as they are opening their new stadium — a vision they have held since the beginning, which required significant effort to realize.
“Now, it has finally come to fruition. However, we are heading into a match where our main goal is to sustain the momentum we’ve established — particularly after the impressive performance we delivered in New York — while remembering that the best way to celebrate is post-match, and with a victory.
“We must avoid getting overly immersed in the celebrations and excitement surrounding the pre-match festivities; often — whether consciously or subconsciously — such an atmosphere can lead to excessive relaxation. Instead, we need to harness all that positive energy present and direct it onto the pitch to strive for the win.”
The team practiced at Nu Stadium for the first time on Thursday morning in front of fans and media, getting accustomed to the Bermudagrass pitch.
Lionel Messi, Noah Allen, and Alex Shaw did not take part in the final segment of the training session after returning from international duty. Messi played the entire 90 minutes as world champions Argentina triumphed over Zambia 5-0 in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
“Neither Leo [Messi], nor Noah, [Allen] nor Alex [Shaw] — the three players who participated on Tuesday and played the most minutes — were scheduled for full participation; we had already arranged it that way,” Mascherano explained.
“It hasn’t even been 48 hours since they completed their match, so we simply wanted them to engage in some light movement for recovery … So, itβs really just a matter of exercising the standard, common-sense caution we apply to all our players. Again, we had planned it this way from the start.”
Mascherano later affirmed that Messi is in good condition and should be ready to play in Saturday’s match.
“He appeared to be in good form — the reality is that, physically, they have no issues whatsoever. And unless any unexpected complications arise, he will be participating on Saturday.”
Messi scored in Miami’s 3-2 victory over New York City FC prior to the international break, a win that propelled the MLS Cup champions to third place in the Eastern Conference.
