Inter Miami extended their unbeaten streak, but this time, they had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Atalanta at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday, September 19. Despite entering the game as a substitute, Lionel Messi couldn’t find the back of the net or provide an assist.
Excitement filled the stadium early as fans eagerly awaited Messi’s performance. However, to everyone’s surprise, the Miami coach chose not to include him in the starting lineup. This decision may have been influenced by Messi’s recent recovery from injury.
When Messi entered the game in the final 30 minutes, he couldn’t quite work his usual magic. Alongside Messi, fellow veterans Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba also came on in the second half but Sergio Busquets missed the game due to injury.
Even without all their stars, Inter Miami took the lead in the first half, with midfielder David Ruiz scoring in the 29th minute. Atalanta responded in the 56th minute when Georgian winger Saba Lobzhanidze leveled the score.
Just three minutes later, Leonardo Campana restored Miami’s lead, and Messi entered the match in the 61st minute. Although Messi took a few shots, none posed a real threat. Atalanta continued to press and create several chances, but Miami’s goalkeeper, Drake Callender, made a series of crucial saves.
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However, Callender couldn’t stop Atalanta’s Alexei Miranchuk, who equalized in the 84th minute. Miranchuk a recent signing from Italian club Atalanta, scored his first goal for the team, securing the draw.
Despite the result, Inter Miami remains at the top of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer with 63 points from 29 games, while Cincinnati follows with 55 points. Atlanta sits in 23rd place.
