Inter Miami returned to winning ways Saturday night thanks to second-half substitute Leo Campana’s stoppage-time strike to seal a 1-0 triumph over DC United.
Lionel Messi returned to the mix after sitting out during the Herons’ midweek draw vs in-state rivals Orlando City due to a knee problem. With Messi back in the side, Miami were eager to get things going under the lights in south Florida to extend their stay atop the Supporters’ Shield standings.
The two Eastern Conference clubs got things going after a near 30-minute weather delay. However, the rain started to come down in the first half with both teams struggling to put together any meaningful attacking sequences and chances.
Neither team were able to find the breakthrough in the first 45, even with the heavy rainfull subsiding near the end of the half. Before Guido Gonzalez blew his whistle to signal halftime, Benjamin Cremaschi was through on goal with a glorious one-on-one chance against DC’s Alex Bono — who stood tall to deny the young midfielder and keep the score level at 0-0.
Both sides managed to conjure up a few half-chances after the break, but everything was pointing to another draw for Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s side. That is, until Matias Rojas made way for Leo Campana.
The back-up striker found the back of the net to put his side in front just moments after entering the match. Sergio Busquets spotted the Ecuador international’s run and played a sublime over-the-top through ball right into his path. Campana made no mistake in front of goal, sending a strike into the far corner that rattled off the crossbar and into the goal.
Miami remain in first place in the Supporters’ Shield race with 31 points collected from 15 matches played, while DC fell to ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings after suffering defeat for the fifth time this season.
GK: Drake Callender – 7/10 – Wasn’t called to action much as his backline limited DC’s attempts at goal. He did come up clutch with a massive save late on to keep the clean sheet intact.
RB: Marcelo Weigandt – 7/10 – Linked up well with his teammates down the right-hand side without being too exposed on the back-end.
CB: Tomas Aviles – 6/10 – Struggled with Benteke’s physicality but kept the former Liverpool striker at bay for the most part.
CB: Nicolas Freire – 6/10 – Displayed sound anticipation with a few key interceptions to snuff out any potential threats from the visitors.
LB: Jordi Alba – 7/10 – Found himself in favorable positions going forward in his first start in over a month but his delivery could’ve been better.
CM: Julian Gressel – 6/10 – A quiet showing from the versatile figure who didn’t really get the chance to display his exceptional delivery.
CM: Sergio Busquets – 8/10 – Confident and clam when in possession to lead the Herons’ midfield. He capped off a brilliant display with a stunning lofted through ball into Campana’s path.
CM: Benjamin Cremaschi – 6/10 – Not as involved with the attack like we’ve seen from him before yet he pitched in on the defensive end before being taken off early in the second half.
RW: Lionel Messi – 7/10 – His movement and passing was on point as he roamed free in the final third. However, he was dispossessed several times — which is something we don’t see too often from the Argentine legend.
ST: Luis Suarez – 6/10 – Found chances in front of goal hard to come by due to the lack of service.
LW: Matias Rojas – 6/10 – A little bit off the pace in the first half but improved as the match wore on.
Substitutes
SUB: Robert Taylor (57′ for Cremaschi) – 6/10
SUB: Serhiy Kryvtsonv (66′ for Freire) – 6/10
SUB: David Ruiz (82′ for Gressel) – N/A
SUB: Leo Campana (93′ for Rojas) – 7/10
Manager
Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino – 5/10 – After Miami settled for the midweek draw against Orlando City, you kind of expected them to come out with a bit more purpose at home — especially with Messi back in the lineup. However, the Herons managed to find a way in the end and get back in the win column.
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