Coach Mascherano Issues Apology to Messi and Inter Miami

Coach Javier Mascherano expressed regret and accepted full accountability after Inter Miami's loss against Chicago Fire.

Inter Miami recently suffered one of their most disappointing defeats this season with a 3-5 home loss to Chicago Fire.

After the match, Coach Javier Mascherano made some surprisingly candid remarks. The Argentine tactician did not blame Messi or his teammates, instead taking personal responsibility for the regrettable defeat.

Specifically, Mascherano stated: "It's unfortunate, not due to personnel issues but because of tactical arrangements. Today, I failed to support the players from my role, and this loss is entirely my fault.

The mistake was mine for implementing a flawed game plan from the first half. When a coach has to change the approach mid-game, it indicates that the initial strategy was completely out of sync with what actually happened on the field. This isn’t a personnel problem but rather my misreading of the match, and ultimately everything unfolded contrary to my expectations."

Additionally, the 41-year-old coach apologized and acknowledged that both he and Inter Miami have much to improve going forward.

He added: "I don’t usually stand here to say anything different from what I’ve said in the locker room. I have apologized for not providing the necessary support to the players.

It’s truly difficult when a coach lets the team lose an entire half. We still have many areas to work on, and I believe I have made that very clear. The first person who needs to change is me.”

In this match, captain Lionel Messi left no significant mark on the pitch. The Argentine superstar had a below-par performance and experienced his first home defeat with Inter Miami conceding five goals.

Regarding the match events, the visitors took an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Dje Tah D’Avilla and Jonathan Dean, before Tomás Aviles pulled one back for Inter Miami. However, Kouame restored Chicago’s lead to 3-1 just before halftime. In the second half, Luis Suarez shone with a brace, leveling the score at 3-3 for the hosts. But hopes of a comeback quickly faded as Inter Miami’s defense repeatedly erred, allowing Reynolds and Gutierrez to score and seal a 5-3 victory for Chicago.

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