Is the Last Dance Still On? Miami Expresses Desire for Rematch with Al-Nassr

Inter Miami, under the guidance of Tata Martino, faced a challenging defeat in their pre-season match against Al-Nassr, a team currently in the midst of their domestic campaign. The Herons fell short, experiencing a humbling 6-0 loss that highlighted their need to further develop and catch up to their opponents' level of play.

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During Inter Miami's final game in the Middle East, Lionel Messi was only given a mere seven minutes of playing time as a substitute, while Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature at all due to injury. However, there remains a possibility for them to cross paths again in the future. When questioned about whether the shocking result indicates that MLS is currently lagging behind the Pro League, Julian Gressel emphasized the early stage of Inter Miami's development as a team, having only been together for three weeks after an extended break. Gressel expressed the competitive spirit within him and mentioned the team's desire for a rematch, potentially in an official competition like the Club World Cup.

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Despite suffering three defeats in four friendly games, Julian Gressel of Inter Miami doesn't place too much emphasis on form at this early stage. He believes that the team's focus should be on performing at their best when it truly matters. While the losses sting, Gressel sees value in these games as they serve as valuable preparation for the upcoming season.

Gressel acknowledges that these preseason matches differ from previous experiences, as they are not typical training sessions against other MLS teams. Instead, they are real competitive games, which he believes will benefit the team in the long run.

Reflecting on the recent results, Gressel emphasizes the importance of learning lessons and growing as a team. He acknowledges that there is plenty to analyze from game footage and highlights the significance of a strong start to avoid finding themselves down 3-0 within the first 12 minutes. These lessons, he believes, are crucial to absorb during the preseason phase.

Inter Miami has embarked on a journey to the Middle East, where they will face a Hong Kong Select XI and Vissel Kobe from Japan. These matches serve as important preparations for the team before they kick off their 2024 MLS campaign against Real Salt Lake on February 21. The team aims to fine-tune their strategies and build cohesion as they gear up for the upcoming season.

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