González’s fixes to arrest Inter Miami’s slide before the playoffs | OneFootball

Kily González is running out of time to make Inter Miami playoff-ready, with confidence ebbing after blown leads and stoppage-time defeats. Yet the holders could still defend their MLS crown and book a place in next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup.

According to interheron.com, Miami have stumbled since early August but remain second in the East on 46 points at 12-5-10, three clear of Charlotte and four ahead of Chicago. With seven games left, catching Supporters’ Shield leaders Nashville SC on 60 looks unlikely, though a top-three finish and near-certain Champions Cup qualification remain in play.

First, get bodies back. This weekend’s bye arrives well timed, with wingers Mateo Silvetti and Tadeo Allende out for the year after shoulder and knee surgery, while right wing-back Ian Fray plus midfielders Telasco Segovia and Yannick Bright should benefit from the breather. The pause should also freshen the group.

Second, stretch the pitch. Allende and Silvetti powered last year’s run by dragging defences wide and deep, creating lanes for Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul. In their absence, reliance on DP forward Germán Berterame and 39-year-olds Messi and Luis Suárez has seen output dip as opponents sit in a mid-block and pounce on turnovers.

Javier Mascherano shifted the tide last season by benching Suárez for Silvetti. González could show similar conviction, even by sitting Berterame and Suárez, starting Riquelme Fillipi and Matías Galarza either side of Messi, letting youthful legs add width and depth so Messi, De Paul and Segovia can thread the middle.

Third, give Berterame a breather. I like him and believe he can contribute, but a short spell out could ease the pressure while González refines his role. His running suits impact duty as a spot starter or as cover for Filippi or Galarza, and improvement over the run-in feels vital for club and player.

Fourth, cut out the histrionics. The MLS Disciplinary Committee fined the club, González, and players Sergio Reguilón, Micael, Bright, De Paul and Dániel Pintér after a confrontation following Bright’s foul on Columbus Crew striker Josef Martínez at a corner. The dark arts distract, and too often opponents have scored while defenders appeal rather than react. Recover first, then let the captain speak to the referee.

Finally, believe. This squad is richly talented, the campaign more disrupted than last year’s, yet Miami showed they can find a higher gear when required. Never underestimate Messi, even late in his career he can still conjure moments.

Source: interheron.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”