Inter Miami’s 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by the absence of their star player, Lionel Messi. As the season draws to a close, the club finds themselves in a precarious position, striving to secure a playoff spot.
Before the arrival of Lionel Messi:
Prior to Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami had a mixed track record. They struggled to establish dominance in the league, often finding it challenging to clinch crucial victories. The numbers tell the story: 30 games played, with just 10 wins, and a win rate of 33.3%. Their average goals per game were 1.16, while they conceded 49 goals at an average of 1.63 goals per game.
Lionel Messi arrives at Miami:
The Messi era at Inter Miami was nothing short of extraordinary. In the 12 games he played, the team soared to new heights, winning 11 of them, including three via penalty shootouts. Their win rate was an astonishing 91.6%, and they experienced no losses during this period. Goals flowed freely, with a total of 34 scored, thanks to Messi’s direct involvement in 47% of them (11 goals scored and five assists). The average goals per game was an impressive 2.83, while they conceded just 12 goals, maintaining a goals-against average of 1.00.
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During The Lionel Messi Injury:
The most challenging period for Inter Miami is during Messi’s injury. When the club was forced to navigate the league without their talisman. This is a testing phase for Miami. Messi has missed 5 of the last 6 Inter Miami games. Whilst in the remaining one game he was subbed off injured in the 37th minute. In this period Miami has had 2 losses, including the US Open Cup final loss. Miami drew 2 games and won the remaining 2 games. Giving a total win percentage of 33%, which is a significant downfall from 91.6% with Messi.
The Playoff Quest:
With only four games remaining in the MLS season, Inter Miami finds themselves standing on the precipice of the playoffs. Currently, they are four points adrift from the playoff spots. This situation underscores the importance of the remaining fixtures. The statistics highlight the team’s heavy reliance on Messi for success, both in terms of goal-scoring and win rates.
Conclusion
As Inter Miami looks ahead to these crucial matches, they must navigate the challenges of securing victories without their star player. The contrast between their performance with Messi and without him is stark, and it’s now time for the rest of the squad to step up and prove their mettle. Whether they can muster the points needed to qualify for the playoffs remains to be seen, but the journey has been a captivating one, with twists and turns that have kept fans on the edge of their seats.
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