Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano is urging his squad to embrace their “historical moment” as they face Brazilian giants Palmeiras on Monday in the FIFA Club World Cup.
A draw would secure Miami’s advancement to the knockout stages, but Mascherano insists his team will play for a win.
Miami, a club just five years old, is on the cusp of a remarkable achievement after their stunning 2-1 victory over FC Porto, thanks to a Lionel Messi free-kick. This win puts them level with Palmeiras atop Group A.
“We’re facing possibly one of the most important games in the history of our club,” Mascherano stated. He cautioned against playing for a draw, emphasizing, “It would be a big mistake if we went into it thinking about not playing it and only about the result… Our idea is to go and win the game like we’ve always done.”
While confident, Mascherano stressed a tactical approach. “We clearly want to win it through a plan… minimizing Palmeiras’ strengths and exposing their weaknesses.”
The potential return of veteran Spanish full-back Jordi Alba, who feels physically good after injury, could boost Miami.
Alba highlighted the team’s growth, stating, “Playing against elite teams only sharpens us as a team, and if we reach the knockout rounds, just imagine how high our ceiling could be.”
