Inter Miami head into their “Clásico del Sol” derby against Orlando City in MLS Rivlary Week without star man Lionel Messi, who has been ruled out of the clash due to injury. However, there is some good news for Gerardo “Tata” Martino regarding Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba.
How many games has Alba missed? How have they done without him?
The left-back has been forced to sit out The Herons’ last four MLS games because of a hamstring injury, although they haven’t missed him too much, it has to be said, winning all four by an aggregate score of 19-6. That, however, has largely been down to Messi’s return to the team rather than Alba’s absence.
It will be the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s turn to drop out of the team in Orlando, with the knee issue he suffered in the weekend win over Montreal keeping him on the sidelines after featuring in seven successive matches.
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Ángel ColmenaresEFE
Alba “expected to play against Orlando”
On the flip side, Alba will be available to return to the starting lineup after his own fitness issues, according to journalist Michelle Kauffman, who claimed: “Jordi Alba will be available to play. He’s missed the last several games with a hamstring injury, but he’s returned to practice, and he is expected to play against Orlando”.
Martino will, of course, be delighted to welcome a top-class performer back into his defensive line. Las Garzas’ excellent recent form hasn’t been built on a solid defence, with six goals conceded in the four matches Alba missed.
Inter Miami may be top of the MLS Eastern Conference and the overall standings, but they have conceded 20 goals in 13 matches, twice as many as second-placed Cincinnati.
No matter how many goals a team scores, having a leaky defence isn’t normally a recipe for winning titles. A fully-fit Alba will surely be able to help at both ends of the field.