Lionel Messi is expected to feature in the starting eleven as Inter Miami welcome Atlanta United on Saturday at Nu Stadium. Interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos will continue to lead the team while incoming manager Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez finalizes the work permit required to officially assume his duties.
The Argentine captain arrives at the fixture in exceptional form, netting four goals during Miami’s commanding 7-1 victory over Montreal in their previous outing. There are no indications that he will be rested, even as the coaching transition remains unresolved.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Miami will be aiming to carry forward the momentum from their emphatic win against Montreal, while Hoyos seeks to leave the squad in strong shape for Gonzalez’s eventual takeover.
Meanwhile, Atlanta will look to leverage Gerardo Martino’s familiarity with the Miami squad to contain a Messi-driven attack that has been exceptionally prolific in recent matches.
Inter Miami Projected Lineup
Miami is anticipated to deploy a 4-3-3 formation. Hoyos must navigate without Sergio Reguilon, Gonzalo Lujan, Micael, Mateo Silvetti, Santiago Morales, and Tadeo Allende, all sidelined through injury, resulting in six absences heading into the match.
Inter Miami projected starting XI: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcon, Facundo Mura; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame, Luis Suarez.
Atlanta United Projected Lineup
Atlanta United is expected to adopt a 4-3-1-2 formation. The visitors will be without Luke Brennan and Ajani Fortune, both ruled out due to injury, while Elias Baez serves a suspension after accumulating his fifth yellow card of the campaign.
Atlanta United projected starting XI: Lucas Hoyos; Tomas Jacob, Paulo Diaz, Junior Alonso, Matthew Edwards; Cooper Sanchez, Tristan Muyumba, Will Reilly; Aleksei Miranchuk; Fafa Picault, Miguel Almiron.