Inter Miami 0-0 Toronto FC – MLS LIVE: Lionel Messi starts on his return but Jordi Alba is forced out injured early on in crucial clash in playoff race

That’s according to Tonight’s Reporter on Apple TV, who also revealed that Messi was sitting next to his long-time friend Jordi Alba, who is holding an ice pack on his leg. Nothing seems too worrying regarding Messi’s injury at the moment. We will keep you informed of any progress in this matter.

The only player who has improved his form in the last two months replaced Messi, who received a standing ovation from the crowd.

The superstar appears frustrated to leave tonight’s game with an injury after lying motionless on the pitch for the final few minutes, holding his calf.

There have been a lot of substitutions due to injuries this half as both teams have already been forced to make two changes…

It appears the former Barcelona full-back has left the field due to injury…

This is not typical of Jonathan Rosario, who starts the play before getting behind the Miami defense and throwing a pass across the Miami goal for a teammate to catch. No one was there though! Amazing! Lots of disappointments in this game so far…

Miami’s high press is working effectively while Toronto forward Lorenzo Insigne seems quite isolated up front… the Herons’ two full-backs, Jordi Alba and DeAndre Yedlin, were only involved offensively in the game. tonight so far.

It seems that Franco Ibarra will replace Brandon Servania, who only lasted a quarter of an hour after replacing Victor Vasquez.

Midfielder David Ruiz collects the ball for Miami before passing it and a delicious cross lands in the path of Messi at the far post. The former Barça player directs his volley too high above the goal.

Toronto’s defense was everywhere in the last five minutes of this game!

This time, the Argentinian’s shot was blocked after passing three Toronto FC defenders inside the box. The move started with Messi’s back against the goal before cutting inside and letting his feet do the talking, as usual.

The 36-year-old collected the ball and ran into space before managing to unleash a shot, which was comfortably saved by Romero. Still 0-0 after 18 minutes of play, but lots of action so far!

Alba plays a high ball into the path of Martinez who fends off a defender before firing a shot wide of Tomas Romero’s goal!

So bad luck from Deandre Kerr! He got behind the Miami defense and faced Drake Callendar, who stopped a low shot to his left before Kerr hit the rebound off the post.

What a disappointment for Miami!!

There has been a change in midfield for Toronto as Messi’s former Barcelona teammate – Vasquez – is replaced due to injury. He almost gave Miami the lead when Martinez’s shot went well over the bar in the first 10 minutes.

Messi and Co. will continue to push for the floodgates to open, but Toronto’s defense has managed to play out of Miami’s high press so far tonight.

The 29-year-old has scored 13 goals and recorded 7 assists in 38 matches since arriving in Canada last year. His contributions aren’t just positive for a team that sits last in the Eastern Conference with 23 points from 29 matches played.

The man who is normally in clinic inside the area was unable to hit the target. ‘

Toronto midfielder Victor Vazquez, who played with Messi at Barcelona, ​​lost the ball just before his goalkeeper’s box and José Martinez was the first player to react before firing his shot well over the bar.

The Herons are playing in their typical all-pink kit and are already applying pressure high up the field in a nervous start for Toronto.

An eight-minute first-half collapse saw Miami fall from 1-0 to 3-1, and their improbable playoff push took an almighty blow in the process… it was Thiago Almeda who attracted attention in Messi’s absence.

Tonight’s game was supposed to start at 7:30 p.m. ET, but it looks like there will be a slight delay of just a few minutes.

The Argentine, who has scored 11 goals in as many games for Miami over the past two months, gained his father’s support while watching Inter Miami’s under-12 team play last month .

The Herons will want to collect as many points as possible from now on. They are seven points behind ninth-place DC United, who are a contender for the Eastern Conference final playoffs.

The France U-21 team coach, who also happens to be the national team’s top scorer, says there was no structure for Messi while he was still playing for the League champions 1. Learn more:

Football fans may recognize one or two familiar names in the Canadiens’ lineup tonight: Federico Bernadeschi and Lorenzo Insigne. Both joined the club last year, from Juventus and Napoli respectively.

The Herons are fielding World Cup winner Josef Martinez in attack as it appears Messi will play as a sort of secondary striker. The Miami captain will have two of his closest friends at the club, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, lining up at midfield and left-back.

The Herons will look to bounce back from their heavy 5-2 loss to Atlanta United last Saturday, while Toronto will look to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Canadian rival Vancouver.

Messi is also expected to feature for Miami for the first time since the international break! The 36-year-old was rested for Argentina’s last match – a 3-0 win over Bolivia – and Miami’s Tata Martino was reluctant to involve him against Atlanta after returning to the United States from his homeland shortly after. time before.

How will the seven-time Ballon d’Or behave this evening? Will he be able to keep Miami’s slim hopes of reaching the playoffs alive? Let’s find out…