Inter Miami CF head coach praised Jordi Alba for his exceptional performance in the team's recent 4-3 victory over Toronto FC in the Leagues Cup round of 32. Alba, who provided four assists in the match, was lauded by Martino as a 'number 10 who plays at left-back,' showcasing his versatility and playmaking abilities.
Alba's assists were instrumental in securing Miami's place in the round of 16 of the competition, despite defensive challenges faced by the team. The Herons struggled with reckless marking inside their penalty area, conceding two penalties to Toronto in the first half and receiving a red card, which gave the visitors a man advantage for most of the game.
Martino expressed concern over the team's defensive errors, emphasizing the need to avoid recklessness in crucial areas of the field. Miami will now prepare to face either the Columbus Crew or Sporting Kansas City in the next round, with both opponents holding higher rankings in the tournament classification.
Notably, Miami continues to play without star player Lionel Messi, whose availability for the upcoming round of 16 game remains uncertain. Toronto FC's elimination from the Leagues Cup allows them to shift focus to the ongoing MLS campaign under coach John Herdman.
In unfortunate news for Toronto, Federico Bernardeschi sustained an ankle injury during the match, forcing him to exit in the 18th minute. The former Italy international had initially suffered the injury during warm-ups but opted to play before being sidelined.
