Inter Miami thrash New York to return to winning ways

New York Red Bulls 1 – 5 Inter Miami

HARRISON, NJ–Inter Miami bounced back from their midweek defeat with a goal feast against the New York Red Bulls as Lionel Messi starred once again.

Although the scoreline suggests it was a one-sided affair in New Jersey, but the opening fifteen minutes belonged entirely to the home side as they closed Miami down and forced a number of defensive mistakes.

Miami could hardly get a moment on the ball, and it was no surprise to see them concede a goal after struggling to contain the oppositions attacking threat from the start.

A New York corner was delivered by Emil Forsberg right into the danger area. It was a test for Miami keeper Rocos Rios Novos who was in for the injured Oscar Ustari, and he failed miserably.

He completely missed his attempted punch and Alexander Hack was in the right place as he volley into an empty net to take a well deserved lead.

Miami looked a little stunned. New York clearly had a game plan to attack from the first whistle to unnerve their opposition and maybe get a goal scoring opportunity.

They achieved exactly that inside the first fifteen minutes, but it was difficult to know what that same game plan suggested once they got the goal.

The high press they adopted from the opening minutes was never sustainable for the whole game and soon after the goal, The Herons started to enjoy far more possession and started to get a foothold on the game.

And with Lionel Messi in the side, things can change quickly, and that’s exactly what happened here.

Messi received the ball in the final third and spotted the run of Jordi Alba. The Miami captain executed the perfect pass and Alba followed that with the perfect finish to get the team on the level terms.

Moments later and it was the Messi and Alba show again. This time the captains floated pass finds his left back, who played the ball to Telasco Sergovia. The midfielder got his foot to it and managed to squeeze it past Carlos Coronel who maybe could have done better.

After such an electric start by the Red Bulls, the wheels completely fell off just before the break. Frederico Redondo managed to keep the ball alive in the New York area and eventually the ball fell for Sergovia who found the far corner superbly for his second and Miami’s third goal.

New York’s opening fifteen-minute domination suddenly seemed like a long time ago, and they were now in danger of feeling the wrath of a side hurt from their midweek defeat.

They created chances and looked to get a goal back, but the Miami attacking threat is always there, and it was the quality of Sergio Busquets that ended this contest.

His sublime pass down the pitch found Messi in full stride as he ran at goal. A little swivel of the hips to put Coronel on the floor before finishing into an empty net.

Luis Suarez is having a quiet season in terms of goals by his standards, but he provides a threat in many other ways. His shear presence creates space for others, and he can also provide assists, just as he did here.

His first time cross for Messi was perfectly weighted and a fabulous delivery for his captain to control and finish in style.

It put the gloss on a fine win and a good attacking display from Inter who will be pleased to get back to winning ways.