Inter Miami Kick-Off Leagues Cup 2024 with Win Over Puebla
Inter Miami started their Leagues Cup 2024 campaign on a high note, defeating Puebla 2-0 at DRV PNK Stadium. Luis Suarez and Matias Rojas scored the goals, as the Herons made the most of their home advantage.
The hosts took the lead after 10 minutes, following a VAR check disallowed what would have been the opening goal from Marcelo Weigandt. Robert Taylor played a beautiful pass to Rojas, who fired a thunderbolt past Miguel Jimenez’s near post.
Neither side could create much in the second half until the 70th minute, when Miami doubled their advantage. Julian Gressel showed off his excellent passing range with an outside of the foot pass to Jordi Alba, who found Suarez all alone in the penalty area. The Uruguayan striker scored his 15th goal for Miami with a simple tap-in.
Despite being without key players like Lionel Messi and Diego Gomez, Miami managed to come away with three important points to kick-off their Leagues Cup title defense. The Herons will return to action next Saturday against Tigres UANL, where a draw would be enough to secure safe passage to the next round.
Player Ratings
- GK: CJ dos Santos – 6/10 – Made a couple of saves to play his part in the win.
- RB: Marcelo Weigandt – 6/10 – Stepped up his defensive game and wasn’t seen much on the attacking end.
- CB: Sergio Busquets – 7/10 – Put in a shift in the backline alongside Hector Martinez.
- CB: Hector Martinez – 7/10 – Didn’t put a foot wrong in his debut.
- LB: Jordi Alba – 7/10 – Started slow but picked things up in the second half to grab an assist.
- CM: Federico Redondo – 6/10 – Struggled in the first half but improved as the match wore on.
- CM: Yannick Bright – 7/10 – Active from the first whistle, sweeping up any loose balls.
- CM: Matias Rojas – 7/10 – Scored the opener with a brilliant finish.
- RW: Julian Gressel – 7/10 – Shined out on the wing, linking up with Suarez and Taylor.
- ST: Luis Suarez – 8/10 – Displayed strong hold-up play and scored the second goal.
- LW: Robert Taylor – 7/10 – Looked solid as ever out on the left-wing, grabbing an assist.
Substitutes
- SUB: David Ruiz (75′ for Redondo) – 6/10 – Helped see out the result in midfield.
- SUB: Leo Afonso (75′ for Taylor) – N/A
- SUB: Ian Fray (85′ for Rojas) – N/A
- SUB: Leo Campana (85′ for Suarez) – N/A
- SUB: Noah Allen (90′ for Alba) – N/A
Manager
- Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino – 7/10 – His team found a way to grind out a win at home to put one foot in the door of the Knockout stage.
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