Inter Miami fans were left disappointed on Sunday night after their superstar attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets were all left out of the starting line-up for the MLS clash against Montreal.
Worse still, Messi was not in the squad entirely, with coach Tata Martino opting to leave his star man out amid a grueling schedule to begin the season.
The Argentina World Cup winner was listed as questionable on the initial injury report, and it was later stated that he was being rested ahead of the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 second leg against Nashville on Wednesday.
Instead, Martino opted for a 5-3-2 formation on Sunday evening, with Leonardo Campana and Robert Taylor leading the line, and an not-often-seen midfield three of new signings Julian Gressel and Federico Redondo, and 22-year-old Lawson Sunderland.
Lionel Messi played midweek against Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16
Luis Suarez arrives for the Inter Miami game on Sunday – but he’s not in the starting line-up
Sergio Busquets also was only named among the substitutes, leaving fans disappointed
Messi picked up a knock in midweek and coach Tata Martino opted to rest him this weekend
So far this season, Inter Miami are unbeaten and sit top of MLS’ Eastern Conference, having won two and drawn one of their three games so far.
Last season’s basement boys opened their season with a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake, before drawing 1-1 with LA Galaxy in their second game.
Last weekend, they thrashed Florida rivals Orlando City 5-0, and are big favorites to overcome Montreal even without their star trio.
