Inter Miami Play Out Thrilling Draw in Atlanta

A pulsating encounter at the Mercedes Benz Stadium saw Inter Miami go head-to-head with Atlanta, who gave the table toppers a real test.

Gerardo “Tara” Martino made eight changes to his side that started the last game. A combination of injuries and suspensions left him with a headache in defense. Indeed, the coach was also suspended himself for an accumulation of yellow cards, leaving manager Jorges Theiler to instruct from the sidelines.

The mass changes meant that Inter had a makeshift defence, with veteran Sergii Kryvtsov partnering Ian Fray as the Centre back pairing, giving Atlanta some hope that they could do what few teams have done and put a dent in Inter’s season.

Ten places in the table separated these two sides, but you would never have been able to tell from the performance. Atlanta were full of running and endeavor. Saba Lobjanidze was a constant outlet and threat down the left flank. Inter’s makeshift defence was tested in the early stages but held firm.

With their international superstars on the bench, and Sergio Busquets, one of the players suspended, Miami lacked their usual potent attack and discipline. Yannick Bright returned to the side and was his usual robust self. Quietly going about his business in a very effective way.

Atlanta were creating openings but no real chances. That said, Drake Callender was the busier of two keepers and had to be alert. But it was Miami who struck first inside half an hour.

Franco Negri cut inside from the left wing to look for an opening. His pass took a fortunate deflection and fell kindly for David Ruiz who found himself in front of goal. The youngster kept his head and finished with some aplomb.

The game hardly changed, and Atlanta continued to defy their lowly position with some great attacking football, but with no end product. Miami were able to soak up the pressure and keep new signing Alexey Miranchuk quiet throughout the first half.

They finally got a breakthrough, but it was more about Callender’s blunder than great finishing. It was a smart move down the left, and a Pedro Amador cross found the head of the onrushing Lobjanidze. His header was straight at Callender but somehow slipped through his fingers and his legs.

It was an unfortunate mistake for a keeper who’s been in great form in recent weeks. Indeed, it would be churlish to criticize him too harshly after he made some outstanding stops throughout the season and during this game.

And he didn’t have to wait long for his teammates to rectify the situation. A free kick on the edge of the Atlanta penalty area was taken by Leo Campana, who took a wicked deflection that wrong-footed Brad Guzan to restore Miami’s one-goal lead.

Soon after, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were introduced as Miami looked to score a third and seal the win. Miami looked more threatening, and it put Atlanta on the back foot, but it didn’t stop their attacking flair.

Miami was often found scrambling at the back, and more often than not, it was Callender who kept a cool head and his team’s lead intact.

The last ten minutes were end-to-end stuff. Miami could, and probably should have won it with some late chances. Alba was denied by a great save from Guzan and substitute Lois Suarez somehow had a shot blocked on the line.

Directly from defending that attack, Atlanta counter attacked, and it was new boy Miranchuk who gave his side a share of the spoils with an outstanding strike from the edge of the box. It was a fabulous goal, and nothing that Callender could have done to stop it.

There was still time for both sides to have chances, but the game ended in a draw, which was a fair result for two teams that put on a great show.