Inter Miami’s 2023 season ended on a bitter note.
Riding off the high of signing Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba in the summer, the Herons fought their way to the Leagues Cup title, the first trophy in club history.
Unfortunately, the South Florida-based side couldn’t keep the momentum going and missed out on the Major League Soccer playoffs.
The Herons ended 2023 losing three out of their last five games of the season, including the celebratory ‘Noche d’Or’ match-up against NYCFC on November 10th.
The poor form to finish the year has many Inter Miami fans raising eyebrows about 2024.
While it’s true that Miami has the foundations to challenge for MLS Cup, a shaky defense and several players who don’t fit head coach Tata Martino’s system still plague the team.
As the Herons shift gears to 2024, it’s critical that Martino not only bring in the right personnel but also implement the correct tactics.
What could Inter Miami’s tactics look like in 2024?
After Miami’s loss against NYCFC, Martino spoke to the media, where he casually dropped hints about the potential tactics the Herons could play next year: “The team seems to be more solid with a line of five. This is something we will improve on over the off-season.”
The ‘line of five’ that Martino is referring to is the 3-5-2 formation that he often used throughout the season.
During Miami’s run to the League Cup final, the Miami manager opted to use a 4-3-3 to get the most out of his team.
However, as fatigue kicked in and injuries piled up, Martino reverted to a back three to patch up the team’s defense.
The formation worked for a period of time (see: Miami’s 3-1 September 3rd win over LAFC), but it’s apparent that there’s still work to be done in order to keep it consistent.
While Miami showed that a 3-5-2 is a viable option for them moving forward, it’s crucial that they acquire players over the off-season that can fit the formation.