Sports
Javier Mascherano eased the pressure on his Inter Miami side, including star Lionel Messi, after their 0-0 draw in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday night.
The MLS outfit took on Egyptian side Al Ahly at home at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and despite the high expectations given Lionel Messi’s presence, the match concluded in a goalless draw, highlighting both teams’ defensive strengths and areas for improvement.
Javier Mascherano details Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s efforts to compromise with fans
Speaking after the game Mascherano acknowledged that his team began the match nervously, a likely consequence of the occasion and high expectations given they have a player like Messi on the team. Despite that, he praised their ability to regroup and settle into the rhythm of the game, particularly in the second half.
“Our responsibility is to try and compete like we did today, more like the second half than the first,” Mascherano told reporters after the match.
“This is our target. Obviously we want to win every game that we play. We will try to do that but we are thinking about the next game.
“We aren’t thinking about what will happen in the future.”
Inter Miami improved after the break
Mascherano’s in-game tactical tweaks helped Inter Miami push forward with more confidence in the second period. However, a breakthrough remained elusive, largely due to superb defending and exceptional goalkeeping on both sides.
Inter Miami’s Oscar Ustari emerged as a key figure, producing a series of impressive saves throughout the game – including a critical first-half penalty stop from Trezeguet that preserved the clean sheet. His performance earned him the Player of the Match title.
On the other side, Al Ahly’s Mohamed El Shenawy matched Ustari’s heroics with a spectacular save from a Messi free kick, ensuring the Egyptian side walked away with a valuable point.
Mascherano emphasized the importance of this opener, previously noting how vital the first result is in shaping a team’s momentum in the tournament. “We treated this like a final because in a format like this, there’s no room for slow starts,” he had said prior to the game.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami will need to sharpen their attacking play as they face tougher opposition in FC Porto and Palmeiras in the coming group stage matches. Still, the draw against Al Ahly – one of Africa’s most experienced clubs – offers a foundation to build on.
For Mascherano and his squad, the result was not just a point earned but a demonstration of resilience and adaptability – traits that could prove essential as the Club World Cup progresses.
This news was originally published on this post .
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