Inter Miami’s planned November friendlies against two Chinese Super League sides have reportedly been canceled.
According to Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, Miami’s trip to East Asia will not happen due to commercial and bureaucratic issues.
This report comes days before the Herons were going to travel to China to take on Qingdao Hainiu FC on November 5th and Chengdu Rongchen on November 8th.
Per Edul, Miami will stay in South Florida and train until mid-November. It remains to be seen if the club will replace the reported canceled matches with other games.
Inter Miami ended the 2023 season in 14th place in the East, failing to make the playoffs. Although the team did win the Leagues Cup in the summer, their form wasn’t enough to push them into the post-season. With the trip to China reportedly canceled, the organization will have to find another way to keep its players fit over the nearly four-month-long off-season.
Inter Miami’s off-season just got even longer
With the China friendlies canceled, Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino needs to find a different way to get his tactical ideas across.
The Herons ended the year on a sour note, losing a tough trip away at Charlotte FC on October 21st. Heading into 2024, the club wants to challenge for more silverware. A two-match trip to China would’ve been the ideal way for the team to grow in chemistry.
Unfortunately, Miami will spend the rest of November training at its facilities until further notice.
The four-month off-season isn’t ideal. In fact, for Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, it will be the longest period in their careers from the end of one season to the start of the next.
Inter Miami will have to look for alternate ways to keep up shape over the off-season.