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It is MLS Decision Day, the last day of the regular season and in the Eastern Conference five teams are fighting for the final two spots in the postseason.
The visitors are out of contention after they fell to FC Cincinnati, but the hosts are still in with a slim chance. The North Carolinians need to win and hope results go their way to make the playoffs.
This is the Inter Miami predicted lineup vs Charlotte FC.
Inter Miami predicted lineup vs Charlotte FC
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Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC MLS team news
These sides played out a thrilling draw on Wednesday evening in South Florida, the peculiarities of the post-Leagues Cup rescheduling has thrown them together again on Decision Day.
The 4-3-3 formation has been Tata Martino’s preferred system, there are no suspensions nor fresh injuries after the international break. That does give the coach some conundrums especially in midfield where he now has a plethora of options since the return of Jean Mota and Gregore.
Defensively Noah Allen has been a good understudy, but Jordi Alba could make his first start since the Toronto FC game when he came off injured. Youngster David Ruiz is unavailable having traveled to Chile for the PanAmerican Games.
Inter Miami predicted lineup – 4-3-3
Callender – Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Miller, Alba – Gregore, Arroyo, Busquets – Martínez, Campana, Messi
Inter Miami key players – Our top three
Lionel Messi – eager to end season on a high
Any remaining injury concerns were wiped out when Messi put Peru to the sword in Lima, his two goals kept Argentina perfect in World Cup Qualifying. He was seen in the stands on Wednesday night but announced he wanted to play.
After training on Friday he boarded the short flight to Charlotte with the rest of the team, ready for his final league game of the year. So far the World Cup winner has only scored one MLS goal, he will be desperate to add to that tally.
Jordi Alba – leading attacks from the back
The 34-year-old left back revealed this week that he had been carrying a hamstring injury for several games, before he finally pulled up against Toronto FC. Now he is back and put in a good 30 minutes against Charlotte.
Although a defender, he is also an important part of the attacking build up phase and Inter Miami are unbeaten when he features.
Sergio Busquets – keeping things ticking over
There is no doubting the former Barcelona man’s quality, and Sergio Busquets has been the lynchpin in the middle. He is one of just 15 MLS midfielders to have over 90% passing accuracy after at least ten games.
The 35 year old doesn’t just go side to side, he makes progressive passes to break the lines and completed eight passes in the final third in the last game.
Will Lionel Messi play against Charlotte FC?
Yes! After so much mystery surrounding the seven-time Ballon D’Or winner with his recent injury troubles, the former Barcelona man was adamant he will take part on Saturday.
We will see him at some stage of the game.
Catching a flight to Charlotte 👋✈️ pic.twitter.com/S67pPLNvQU
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 20, 2023
Inter Miami predicted lineup vs Charlotte FC – The Final Word
Although the visitors have nothing to play for, we saw on Wednesday night that Tata Martino still has the team fully motivated. With sources close to the club suggesting that a lot of players will be moved on, there is competition to remain on the roster.
There can be no underestimating the Messi effect on Inter Miami’s performance, they have won just one of six MLS games he missed through injury. In comparison the team’s win rate is 60% in the games he has participated in.
An home win is more likely, but Charlotte FC will likely leave space behind so expect Both Teams To Score.
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