(Fort Lauderdale) We could predict many things before this match between CF Montreal and Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale. But probably not that the CFM would come out with a spectacular 3-2 victory.
Goals from Fernando Álvarez, Matías Cóccaro and Sunusi Ibrahim for Montreal. Successes of Leo Campana and Jordi Alba on the other. Which resulted, in short, in a match full of twists and turns, with eternal suspense and undeniable entertainment.
You don’t even need Lionel Messi for that. Because this match, the Argentinian did not participate in it. He was completely left out of the Florida squad due to a blow to his ankle suffered against Nashville on Thursday in the Champions Cup, and a very busy schedule. Miami faces Nashville again next Wednesday for the second leg of the round of 16 of this competition that Tata Martino’s troop holds dear.
PHOTO STEVE ROBERTS, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Lionel Messi
Never mind. This victory, which CF Montreal defended tooth and nail until the last seconds of around ten minutes of added time, he is “proud” of it.
Particularly because “everyone contributed,” said Samuel Piette after the meeting.
“Whether it’s Fernando who scores his first goal, Matías who starts [après sa blessure de la semaine dernière] and who scores his first goal. Sunusi too. We have seen that the substitutes […] ensured that we sought a result. We don’t just have 11, 12 or 13 players. We really have a complete team. »
“Pedal to the floor”
The absence of Messi did not prevent Inter from releasing fireworks at the start of the match, despite the clear and sunny skies of Florida. Neither held back his groups of supporters from beating their drums with a rhythm that vibrated all the way to the press gallery.
On the other hand, it prevented Miami from being as lethal as usual, especially at the start of the clash. Tata Martino still used five different players from the squad that had gone 2-2 in Nashville three days earlier. Without Messi, and without Luis Suárez and Busquets at the start of the match, the Florida column was missing important vertebrae.
Montreal took the opportunity to deploy its intense pressure game which is seriously starting to become part of its identity.
“These are the intentions,” explained head coach Laurent Courtois. Wilfried [Nancy] Many say “He who dares, wins”. We always want to start with the pedal to the floor. »
At 13e minute, this strategy paid off. Young Colombian Fernando Álvarez, who got his first start of the season on Sunday to replace George Campbell, scored with a header from a corner.
PHOTO SAM NAVARRO, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Fernando Álvarez (4) after scoring
“It was great,” Álvarez said of his goal. I worked for this moment. »
“I can’t score a goal alone,” recalled the 20-year-old defender. I play with 10 other players, and those on the bench. It’s a team goal. »
And you know who was perhaps as happy as Álvarez? Matías Cóccaro. The fiery Uruguayan had just moments earlier missed a dream opportunity which will undoubtedly give him nightmares. Goalkeeper Drake Callender had completely missed his reading of the ball, Cóccaro found himself in front of an open net… but took too long. Which allowed the Miami defense to reposition itself. His shot, deflected, did not hit the frame.
He missed a similar chance around fifteen minutes later. This demonstrated, yes, benchmarks still to be found for the attacker. But also a disorganized defense among the locals, and a Bleu-blanc-noir ready to make him pay.
A thrilling second half
We felt that Miami had regained rhythm at the end of the first half. This upward trend continued into the second. Sergio Busquets came on after the hour mark, and as it happened, Miami tied the score in the 71ste minute, courtesy of Leo Campana on a corner.
But we weren’t done with the splinters. Cóccaro corrected his mistakes in the first half by giving his team the lead again in the 75th minutee. Then, three minutes later, Ibrahim took advantage of Miami’s defensive generosity again. It was 3-1.
“The first goal [de Cóccaro], I think it will do him good, submitted Piette. Especially after his two little missed chances in the first half, which would have done us good! »
“He is rewarded for his efforts,” added Courtois. He caught himself a bit and did a huge job in the second half. So much the better. »
Suárez made his debut at 77e, just before Ibrahim’s goal. At the 80e, Jordi Alba reduced the gap to 3-2. Which gave rise to a thrilling end to the match, where the Florida attacks came in waves.
And despite the nine minutes of added time, the Montreal defense held on. As she has done so well since the start of the season. And this time, it’s not just Montreal fans who will notice.
Because the message that CF Montreal has just sent to the league is great.
“It doesn’t matter who played, whether it’s Messi, Suárez, Redondo or my grandmother, we have a job to do,” Piette said. Yes, he added his grandmother to the list. Jokingly, of course.
“We must respect the opponent, but ensure that we play our own game.”
So far, with seven points out of nine accumulated on the road, this game is firing on all cylinders.