On the morning of May 19, Beijing time, the 14th round of the American Professional League ushered in a key battle, and Miami International hosted D.C. United. Despite a surge in the first half, Inter Miami were unable to find the back of the net until second-half stoppage time, when Inter Miami won 1-0 thanks to a stunning goal from Campana to extend their lead in the Eastern Conference.
The win meant a lot for Inter Miami, especially in Messi's first game since returning from injury. Previously, Messi missed a game due to injury, which led to the end of Inter Miami's winning streak. However, Messi's return has undoubtedly breathed new life into the team.
From the beginning of the game, Inter Miami showed a strong desire to attack. The duo of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez has been attacking frequently, while midfielders such as Rojas and Sergio Busquets have also shown excellent passing and ball control. However, D.C. United's defense was also quite solid, and they defused Inter Miami's offense on several occasions.
In the first half, although Miami International had 70% possession, they did not have many shots on goal, and only 1 hit the back of the net. Although Messi tried to break through and pass the ball many times, he was never able to form an effective shooting opportunity. In the 42nd minute, Kremaschi had a one-on-one chance, but the final push was saved by the opposing goalkeeper and missed the chance to change the score.
Entering the second half, Inter Miami's offense was still fierce, but D.C. United's defense was not slackened. The two sides battled fiercely in midfield but were unable to create a dangerous attacking chance. It wasn't until stoppage time that Campana's stunning goal broke the deadlock.
Campana's goal not only helped Inter Miami win the game, but also put him in the spotlight of the game. As a rich second-generation player, Campana has shown good strength and fighting spirit on the field. His goal also proves his importance in the team.
The win took Inter Miami's 31-point tally to continue leading the Eastern Conference. At the same time, Messi's comeback has also given the team great confidence. In the upcoming races, Inter Miami will continue to work hard to maintain their leading position and challenge for the MLS championship.
According to online information, although Messi did not score in this game, his performance was still excellent. He had seven shots on goal with three on target and made a team-high four key passes. In addition, he completed 3 dribbles with a 100% success rate. These figures fully demonstrate Messi's influence on the pitch.
In his post-match interview, Inter Miami head coach Martino said: "Messi's return has made our attack more powerful, and his presence has made it necessary for opponents to distract themselves from defending him, which gives us more space for the rest of our players. ”
Next, Inter Miami will host Orlando City in what will be a tough match. Orlando City are currently third in the Eastern Conference and are in excellent form with eight wins, one draw and one loss in their last 10 matches. In response, Martino said: "We know that Orlando City are strong, but we are also confident of winning at home. ”
Overall, Messi's return has undoubtedly given Inter Miami a huge boost of confidence and motivation. In the next game, they will attack the championship of the MLS with a stronger squad and higher morale.