Monterrey and Inter Miami will face off in the second leg of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals tonight at 10:30 PM (ET) at Estadio BBVA. For those who were wondering, Lionel Messi will finally return to the starting eleven for the Herons.
The Argentine star came back to action on Saturday, coming on in the second half of his side’s MLS fixture against Colorado Rapids. The 36-year-old had been on the sidelines since March 13th due to a hamstring injury.
Gerardo Martino decided not to risk him in the first leg in South Florida, where Rayados claimed a come-from-behind win to head into the rematch in Mexico with a 2-1 lead on aggregate. Therefore, Miami now needs Leo more than ever.
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Monterrey’s lineup
On Saturday’s Liga MX loss to Cruz Azul, Monterrey coach Fernando Ortiz rested eight players who started in Miami last week. Hoping to build on a great away result in the first leg, Rayados will have a team at full strength to try and get the job done at home.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino (left) and Monterrey manager Fernando Ortiz.
Monterrey’s lineup: Esteban Andrada, Stefan Medina, Erick Aguirre, Victor Guzman, Gerardo Arteaga; Luis Romo, Jesus Gallardo, Maximiliano Meza, Sergio Canales, German Berterame, Brandon Vazquez.
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Inter Miami’s starting XI
With Messi making his first start since the injury, Martino is making a few changes in regard to the first leg lineup as David Ruiz saw the red card last week.
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Miami will continue to miss the likes of Federico Redondo and Facundo Farias due to serious injuries, but the veteran stars will show up at Estadio BBVA from the get-go. Robert Taylor is questionable after being subbed off last week due to injury.
Inter Miami’s lineup: Drake Callender; Marcelo Weigandt, Tomas Aviles, Nicolas Freire, Noah Allen, Jordi Alba; Julian Gressel, Sergio Busquets, Diego Gomez; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez.
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