Leonardo Campana has admitted that Inter Miami need to learn to win without Lionel Messi after Saturday’s 3-1 victory against DC United.
The Argentine international was again absent from the matchday squad as the Herons traveled to the US capital to take on DC, with a Luis Suarez brace from the bench securing a massive road win.
With Messi expected to be fit in time for next month’s CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Monterrey, Inter Miami winning their first game of the season without their captain is a big achievement for the Herons.
Leandro Campana says Inter Miami can’t over-rely on Lionel Messi
And speaking to MLS’s official website, striker Campana admitted that Inter Miami can’t be over-reliant on Messi’s fitness to get results, something the Herons proved in a big way on Saturday.
Whilst this latest win against DC United is a big step forward in the right direction, Inter Miami still have some way to go if they’re to truly become a force without Messi in the squad.
And this is something that the Herons squad seem to acknowledge, with Campana one of the players who has stepped up this season with Messi not available for selection.
Campana said: “We know how important Leo is to the team, what he is and what he represents within us. We probably really can’t count on him all the time and we will have to take charge.”
Saturday was arguably Inter Miami’s biggest win this season
With Inter Miami breaking a seven-game winless streak without Messi in their squad, it’s safe to say that the Herons overcame a big mental challenge for themselves in Washington.
Winning games without the Argentine superstar will be crucial if Inter Miami are to bring as much silverware home as possible this season, with Messi needed for the big games.
Indeed, the 36-year-old’s fitness is clearly going to be an issue this season, yet with Inter Miami beating a top MLS side in DC United on Saturday, this result could be the most important yet for the Herons.