Inter Miami v Necaxa preview
Inter Miami talisman Lionel Messi and manager Javier Mascherano will be reunited with one of their former Argentina teammates when Necaxa visit Chase Stadium in the second match of the Leagues Cup group stage on Saturday.
The new manager of the Mexican side is Fernando Gago, who won the 2005 Under-20 World Cup in one of 68 appearances alongside Messi, as well as making 58 in the same side as Mascherano, with all three featuring in games including the victorious 2008 Olympic Games final and the 2014 World Cup final defeat to Germany.
“He’s someone I care about – we’ve shared moments outside of football,” said Mascherano. “It’s always special to face someone you know, who you shared so many beautiful moments with.
“Fernando’s teams usually like to be protagonists and are very attacking. We’re going to have to take sufficient precaution to try to minimize their attacking phases.”
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Former Real Madrid, Valencia and Boca Juniors midfielder Gago was named Manager of the Year in the Argentinian top flight with Racing Club in 2022 but left Boca after less than seven months in April.
“I’ve had a relationship with Leo for more than 15 years,” said the 39-year-old. “Regardless of whether I’ve faced him or not, I talk to him a lot.
“It’s going to be a nice match to face some of the best players. There are areas where we can have control of the match, knowing where we can hurt them.”
Necaxa started their Leagues Cup campaign with a 3-1 win against visitors Atlanta United – 13th in the Eastern Conference – while Miami beat Atlas 2-1 at home.
Inter Miami v Necaxa team news
Messi and wideman Jordi Alba made their first appearances since serving one-match MLS bans against Atlas, the striker setting up both Miami goals.
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who has signed initially on loan from Atletico Madrid, could start again after making his debut.
Versatile Greece youth international Noah Allen and Ecuador prospect Allen Obando were unused substitutes following hamstring issues, while Racing Club de Avellaneda loanee Baltasar Rodriguez and goalkeeper Oscar Ustari are yet to return from the same problem.
Goalkeeper Drake Callendar is back in training after a hernia issue and defender Ian Fray is still suffering with an injury sustained during the Club World Cup.
Former Uruguay left-back Agustin Oliveros is out for Necaxa with a shin injury and center-back Alan Montes joined MLS team Sporting Kansas City on loan on Friday.
Gago may be tempted to start Tomas Badaloni after the center-forward scored twice inside 15 minutes against Atlanta, having entered as a 74th-minute substitute.
“We’re in a construction phase,” suggested Gaga. “We’ve only played a few games [of the Liga season] and we have to try to continue growing as a team.
“Our idea is to qualify, which is the most important thing. We need to try to get points and results.”
Inter Miami v Necaxa expected line-ups
Inter Miami starting XI: Novo; Weigandt, Lujan, Falcon, Alba; Allende, De Paul, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suarez
Necaxa starting XI: Unsain; Emilio Martinez, Jacob, Calderon; Palavecino, De Buen, Andrae, Perez; Sanchez, Cambindo, Rosero
How to watch Miami v Necaxa: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Saturday is at 19:00 ET (16:00 PT on Saturday / 00:00 on Sunday BST), with live coverage available through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
In the US, a subscription costs $14.99 a month or $69 a season. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $59 a season.
Inter Miami v Necaxa stats
- After UANL’s win over San Diego on August 2, MLS clubs had won 15 of the first 26 matches in this season’s competition against Liga MX sides.
- There was yet to be a 0-0 draw by that point, with both teams scoring in 20 of the games.
- Miami have won three and lost one of their four games against Mexican teams in the Leagues Cup, with the victory over Atlas their first home encounter against opposition from the country in the competition.
- Midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi became the first Miami academy product to reach 100 first-team appearances in that game.
- Messi has 24 goals and 10 assists in 30 appearances in all competitions this season.
- The Herons are unbeaten in four home games, winning four of their last six.
- Forward Diber Cambindo and midfielder Agustín Palavecino represented Necaxa in the LIGA MX All-Stars team.
- In last season’s group stage, Necaxa lost their first away game 1-0 at Minnesota but responded with a 3-1 victory at Seattle Sounders.
- Three of Necaxa’s four matches this season have contained four goals, with the other featuring two and both teams scoring on each occasion.
- Los Rayos have won twice and drawn once at home this season, losing their only away match so far 3-1 at Toluca after midfielder Pavel Perez gave them a 21st-minute lead.
Inter Miami v Necaxa prediction
Necaxa are something of an unknown quantity under Gago and were middling travelers last season, winning five and losing eight of their 18 league games.
That makes Miami justified warm favorites to win this one. As ever with the MLS heavyweights’ questionable defensive record, don’t be surprised to both teams win – feasibly in a 3-2 win for the hosts.
Miami are at home again to Mexican opponents in their next assignment of the group stage, facing Pumas UNAM on August 6 (19:30 ET / 16:30 PT / 00:30 on August 7 BST).
Necaxa visit Orlando City on the same evening (19:00 ET / 16:00 PT / 00:00 BST). A top-four finish in the standings for each division is required to advance to the quarter-finals.
