We are motivated and confident – Gerardo Martino after qualifying for Leagues Cup final

 

Lionel Messi continued to weave magic for Inter Miami CF as the club defeated Philadelphia Union by 4-1 in the Leagues Cup semifinals on Tuesday night at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Messi, Josef Martínez, and Jordi Alba scored in the first half to give a thumping 3-0 lead to their team.

Subsequently, Alejandro Bedoya scored for the home team in the 73rd minute but David Ruiz put the game to bed after scoring 11 minutes later.

Meanwhile, this was Messi’s sixth match for the American club and he has scored in all six of them. The Argentine scored from long range and continued his good show.

Martino said they will try their best to go all the way in the tournament and make the club more competitive.

“The team has reached the final of an international competition,” Martino said. “One of the goals was qualifying for Concacaf Champions Cup, now we have to prepare to try and win the championship if possible. We are motivated and confident, but we are also focused on doing everything to get better. We want to make this club very competitive.”

On the other hand, Union head coach Jim Curtin admitted they lacked a collective effort and it led to their downfall against Inter Miami.

“Takes a complete team effort to have a chance against a team like Miami,” Curtin said after the match. “First 20-30 minutes, made too many mistakes, they punished us. It wasn’t us that first half, but they’re very good.

“Hard to lose and concede four goals, that part hurts. Doesn’t feel normal to walk off that pitch after conceding four.”

Meanwhile, Martino showered praise on the duo of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who have added strength to Inter Miami’s side along with Lionel Messi.

“The impact that Leo, [Sergio Busquets], Jordi have had on the group, they pass on this confidence to the young players, and they have this commitment related to the game,” Martino said. “[Busquets] is working a lot, especially to recover balls, this is infectious to his teammates.

“The team has changed, today we have a more competitive roster that creates difficulties for the coach to create a lineup. The younger players growing little by little. This is great for any team.”

Gerardo Martino’s team will face Nashville SC on Saturday night in the summit clash of the Leagues Cup.