Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino agreed with forward Lionel Messi that the team has committed "silly mistakes" throughout the season, but insisted players can overcome the errors to triumph in the final game of Round 1 in the best-of-three playoff series against Atlanta United.
"We've made a lot of mistakes that we can avoid, because many times they were silly mistakes to put it nicely," Messi said in a recent interview. "That cannot happen during the playoffs, because the mistakes can cost you and get you eliminated."
Though Inter Miami gained the advantage in the series by winning the first game 2-1 in Fort Lauderdale, defensive errors cost the Herons as they lost the second game 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"It is true that we have had some mistakes that almost permanently have cost us goals," Martino said on Friday in reference to Messi's comment.
The playoff series is now tied, forcing Inter Miami to rise to the occasion during the decisive third game on Saturday night back at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"There are times that teams make mistakes that go unnoticed because they do not end up inside the goal. And we have had some mistakes that put us in a difficult situation, and better yet within the same game. But it is also true that we have had a team that has overcome these types of situations and that throughout the year we have solved it in the best way," Martino said.
But the team will face Saturday's challenges without two key figures in the midfield, as Sergio Busquets and Yannick Bright sit out the final Round 1 match.
Martino confirmed Busquets remains unavailable due to a knock he suffered during the first playoff match against Atlanta United on Oct. 25.
"Busi is still suffering from the consequences of the blow he had in the first game," Martino said.
"It depends on other issues because it is a blow, it is not a muscular issue that can be predicted with respect to the amount of time. It is an issue that must be addressed but I will not go into detail because it is a medical situation."
The head coach added, however, that Bright would likely return to the roster should Miami advance to the conference semifinals.
After a historic 2024 MLS campaign, winning the Supporters' Shield and setting the league record for most points recorded in a single season, the pressure is on Miami to perform.
"We know what we have in the team and that we are the favorites to win the Cup," said Leo Campana. "Obviously all the teams that come here or that play with Inter want to show what they are capable of. We are a team that is all over the world today and I think everyone wants to play against us. That is why I believe that all players give their all every time they play against Inter."