Nashville SC head coach Gary Smith has detailed how he plans to stop Lionel Messi and Inter Miami tonight.
The two sides will meet again in Florida in the second-leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 series, with the score currently tied at 2-2 after last week’s encounter in Tennessee.
Messi inspired Inter Miami to a dramatic comeback against Nashville, and with the forward reportedly set to start tonight, the Herons have all the tools needed to pull off a big result.
Nashville lay out plan to stop Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi
And speaking to the Tennessean, manager Smith revealed Nasville’s plan to stop Messi, though the English coach admitted that defending the Argentine will be easier said than done.
Smith said when asked about how Nashville plans to stop Messi: “It’s a never-ending conundrum. You try to set up a group to try and limit what he’s able to do.
“He’s proved throughout his career at the very best levels that no matter how good you are defensively or how well organized you are, the caliber of the individual will always find a way.
“So, we try to limit service to him and then, that intensity, whenever possible, in and around him. But most important, to be ourselves and not play a game that is abnormal to us.”
Lionel Messi could have a field day tonight after weekend rest
With Messi missing Sunday’s MLS fixture against CF Montreal, the 36-year-old attacker is now fully rested and raring to go for tonight’s clash against Nashville.
And there’s a real chance that the Argentine international could have a field day at Chase Stadium if Messi starts the game strong with his Inter Miami teammates on the same wavelength.
Progression in the Champions Cup will be huge for Inter Miami, and Messi will again have to play his part for the Herons if they’re to create history tonight in Florida against Nashville.