Paris Saint-Germain`s dominant performance against Inter Miami demonstrated their quality, executing intricate moves like the one that led to Joao Neves` goal. However, the match also starkly revealed that Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates seemed particularly ill-suited to challenging a top European side.
The game evoked memories of less successful periods in Messi`s career – his final years at Barcelona, where he arguably carried too much offensive burden, and his stint at PSG, where individual talent didn`t always translate into a cohesive unit against organized opposition. Inter Miami, in this instance, felt less like one of his legendary teams and more like one built primarily to accommodate a single, albeit great, player, struggling without possession and overly dependent on individual brilliance when they had the ball.
While Messi`s arrival has undoubtedly brought significant attention and value to MLS and Inter Miami, the approach to team building appears questionable when facing elite competition. Instead of surrounding Messi with dynamic players capable of providing energy and defensive cover, the club chose to reunite him with former Barcelona teammates in their mid-thirties. This strategy, prioritizing familiarity and past glory, seems detrimental to creating a team structure capable of competing at the highest level globally.
One could argue that owners like Jorge Mas and David Beckham might have been better served investing in dynamic signings rather than relying on veteran reunions. Although Messi`s motivations for moving to Miami likely included lifestyle and MLS financial incentives, it`s unlikely that the opportunity to play alongside specific former teammates was the sole decisive factor over other lucrative offers.
Messi still showcases moments of staggering brilliance, such as the creative pass that set up Luis Suarez. However, even these flashes from the veteran players felt like nostalgic glimpses rather than sustained threats against PSG`s intensity and structure. The full 90 minutes highlighted how the game has evolved tactically since Messi`s peak years. While he personally retains the ability to excel, especially with energetic players around him, within the current Inter Miami setup, his influence is limited.
The final score of 4-0 might even flatter Inter Miami, suggesting PSG eased off somewhat in the heat. From early on, PSG were in control, and Inter Miami failed to execute basic defensive duties required to stem the flow. Basic errors were frequent, including poor marking at the back post, which allowed Joao Neves to score unmarked. This defensive sloppiness, particularly evident in conceding set-piece goals (an area where Inter Miami reportedly struggles in MLS), mirrors the structural issues seen in some past Messi teams.
Against MLS opponents, where Inter Miami often possesses a significant talent advantage, a passive defensive approach and reliance on individual moments might suffice. However, as shown against PSG, this `Messi-ball` approach, when lacking collective structure and intensity, is inadequate against tactically sophisticated and physically demanding top European sides. The match was a clear demonstration that Inter Miami`s current configuration is not built to compete with the world`s best teams.
