Puebla 0-2 Inter Miami: Player ratings as Herons kick-off Leagues Cup defense with home triumph
- Inter Miami toppled Liga MX outfit Puebla 2-0 to win opening Leagues Cup match
- The Herons were without key players like Lionel Messi, Benjamin Cremaschi and Diego Gomez
- Miami will face off against Mexican giants Tigres UANL next Saturday to wrap up East Group 3 action
Goals from Luis Suarez and Matias Rojas were enough for Inter Miami to kick-off their Leagues Cup 2024 campaign with a 2-0 triumph over Puebla.
The hosts broke the deadlock about 10 minutes into the match after a VAR check disallowed what would've been the opening goal from Marcelo 'Chelo' Weigandt. Veteran winger Robert Taylor -- who recently extended his stay in south Florida through the 2026 MLS season -- played Matias Rojas through on goal down the left-hand side before Miami's No. 7 sent in a thundering strike past Miguel Jimenez's near post.
Neither side were able to generate much going forward in the second half up until the 70th minute mark when Miami doubled their advantage. Julian Gressel showed off his excellent passing range with an outside of the foot pass into Jordi Alba's path. The ex-Barcelona full-back made no mistake in finding Luis Suarez all alone in the Puebla penalty area after Jimenez came rushing off his line.
El Pistolero scored his 15th goal for Miami with a simple tap-in to make it 2-0 in favor of the Herons. Even though Miami boss Gerardo 'Tata' Martino was without key figures like superstar Lionel Messi and young players like Diego Gomez and Benjamin Cremaschi, the team managed to come away with three important points to kick-off their Leagues Cup title defense.
The Herons will return to the pitch next Saturday to take on Liga MX gianst Tigres UANL, where a draw will more than likely be enough for Miami to secure safe passage to the next round of Leagues Cup -- should Tigres do the expected and win against Puebla.
Inter Miami player ratings ( 4-3-3 )
GK: CJ dos Santos - 6/10 - Wasn't called to action much but made a couple of saves to play his part in the win.
RB: Marcelo Weigandt - 6/10 - Weigandt stepped up his defensive game and wasn't seen much on the attacking end of the pitch for a change.
CB: Sergio Busquets - 7/10 - Put in a shift in the backline once again due to Miami being short of fit center-backs.
CB: Hector Martinez - 7/10 - Didn't put a foot wrong in his debut alongside Busquets.
LB: Jordi Alba - 7/10 - Started off rather slow but picked things up in the second half to grab an assist on Suarez's goal.
CM: Federico Redondo - 6/10 - Redondo struggled throughout the first half as he couldn't keep hold of the ball and wasn't able to win it back. However, he improved as the match wore on.
CM: Yannick Bright - 7/10 - The 22-year-old was active from the first whistle, sweeping up any lose balls in the midfield while also stepping in to make a few key interceptions.
CM: Matias Rojas - 7/10 - Put Miami in front early on with a brilliant finish on his favored left foot.
RW: Julian Gressel - 7/10 - The ex-Columbus Crew player shined again out on the wing, linking up with Suarez and Taylor on several occasions as he drifted around in the final third.
ST: Luis Suarez - 8/10 - Displayed strong hold-up play to help create chances for Miami. Managed to get on the scoresheet in front of an open net to secure the three points.
LW: Robert Taylor - 7/10 - Looked solid as ever out on the left-wing while grabbing an assist to set-up Rojas' first-half strike.
Substitutes
SUB: David Ruiz (75' for Redondo) - 6/10 - Helped see out the result in the midfield with a crucial challenge in his own half.
SUB: Leo Afonso (75' for Taylor) - N/A
SUB: Ian Fray (85' for Rojas) - N/A
SUB: Leo Campana (85' for Suarez) - N/A
SUB: Noah Allen (90' for Alba) - N/A
Manager
Gerardo 'Tata' Martino - 7/10 - It wasn't the most exciting win by any means, but Martino's team found a way to grind out win at home to put one foot in the door of the Knockout stage.