The Argentine coach Gerardo “Tata” Martinoof Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, justified yesterday Wednesday the elimination of his team in the Concacaf Champions Cup due to the budget restrictions that exist in the MLS to form the squads.
“I maintain that the teams with the best squad in Mexican soccer have accessed this stage of the Champions Cup. I’m talking about América, Monterrey and Tigres. I’m not putting Pachuca because their structure is built on young players. As long as MLS does not release rules to have better squads and that absences and injuries can be replaced more easily, there will be an advantage,” he explained.
Monterey beat Inter Miami 3-1 in the second leg of their Champions Cup quarterfinal series. This score, added to the 1-2 in the first leg, meant a total 5-2 that gave Monterrey a pass to the semifinals.
According to Martino, former Mexico coach, Until the MLS ends with a salary cap that does not allow its teams to spend freely on the formation of the squads, except with three designated players who can be paid any amount, it will be difficult for American teams to compete in the Champions League.
Regarding this Wednesday’s game, Martino stated that his team looked good on the Monterrey field until the third goal, when, in his opinion, the series was decided in favor of the Mexicans.
“In the first half we did well, we lacked depth, but we took control of the ball. We didn’t have any injuries. Either way, it ended up being just Monterrey’s pass.”
“Tata” refused to explain why he did not shake hands before the game with his compatriot Fernando Ortiz, Monterrey’s strategist, with whom he and Lionel Messithe Miami star, had an altercation in the first leg.
“It didn’t happen (to greet each other), it’s not important either. Coaches are important when we lose and not when we win.”
Today’s match marked Messi’s first official match in Mexico, but, despite this, the Argentine could not help his team come back.
Brandon Vázquez, Argentine Germán Berterame and Jesús Gallardo scored for Rayados. Paraguayan Diego Gómez did it for Inter, with an assist from Messi.
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