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Preview: Inter Miami set for clash against Portuguese giants Porto

Preview: Inter Miami set for clash against Portuguese giants Porto

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The second round of matches at the Club World Cup begin on Thursday, when host nation representatives Inter Miami will face a tough test against FC Porto.

By James Nalton

Lionel Messi’s side were held to a scoreless draw in the opener against Al-Ahly, kicking the tournament off with a 0-0, but what at times was a fairly entertaining one.

60,927 turned out at the Hard Rock Stadium, with Al Ahly fans providing plenty of atmosphere along with some of the Miami supporters’ groups, setting the tone for what this tournament might have in store.

It eased some concerns about whether fans will show up and whether there will be an atmosphere around the tournament.

Now, Inter Miami and Porto have the task of filling the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Miami need a shock result to progress

Inter Miami and their coach, Javier Mascherano, might have felt they needed a win from that opener against Al Ahly.

Three points early on against the team they would have been most fancied to get something from would have put less pressure on these potentially trickier games against European and South American opposition.

As it was, Al Ahly had the better chances to score, and the giants of Egyptian and African football were unlucky not to come away with a win. To illustrate that, Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was the game’s best player.

Trezeguet saw a penalty saved by Ustari on his return to his boyhood club, sparing Inter Miami the embarrassment of losing the opener in their latest adopted home stadium in Miami Gardens.

The Floridians now travel to Atlanta to face Porto, where another draw would keep them in the mix, but a defeat might be the beginning of the end. 

Playing away from home against the group favourites is a chance to show what they are made of.

There’s always a chance

With Messi around…

Messi showed enough against Al Ahly to suggest he can make his mark on this tournament.

An audacious effort from outside the area following a corner routine almost caught Mohamed El Shenawi off guard, but the experienced goalkeeper scrambled back to tip the shot onto the bar.

Messi was heavily involved, finishing the game with 76 touches, and also created a couple of good chances for teammates.

His cross late on gave Fafà Picault a chance that could have won the game, but El Shenawi saved the header from close range.

Sergio Busquets, at 36 years old, still enjoys this type of summer football tournament, taking the heat out of things with simple, efficient passing that can create chances further down the line.

Inter Miami will be the underdogs against a UEFA Champions League and Europa League regular, but they still have the players to win these games against the odds.

Porto pressure

Porto will also have been disappointed not to begin their campaign with a win, as the other match in Group A also finished goalless.

In that game, the Brazilian side, Palmeiras, who won the Copa Libertadores in 2021, showed they will be tough to beat, and like Al Ahly did versus Miami, will have felt they should have snatched a win against Porto.

That Porto’s goalkeeper Claudio Ramos received the highest FotMob rating in that game tells a story similar to Ustari’s in the other game.

It leaves Porto still looking for their first win, which could be bad news for Inter Miami.

Striker Samuel Aghehowa was kept quiet by Palmeiras, but the 21-year-old Spaniard, who was Porto’s top scorer last season, will fancy his chances against the MLS team’s shaky defence.

18-year-old attacking midfielder Rodrigo Mora is another one to look out for in the Porto ranks, while winger Pepê will be hoping to start and make an impact, having begun on the bench versus Palmeiras.

Porto’s top scorers in the Liga Portugal last season

Prediction

Porto should be able to do what Al Ahly couldn’t and finish their chances against Inter Miami, and after the 0-0 draws in the opening games, this one could see a few goals.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Club World Cup with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Inter Miami set for clash against Portuguese giants Porto

The second round of matches at the Club World Cup begin on Thursday, when host nation representatives Inter Miami will face a tough test against FC Porto.

By James Nalton

Lionel Messi’s side were held to a scoreless draw in the opener against Al-Ahly, kicking the tournament off with a 0-0, but what at times was a fairly entertaining one.

60,927 turned out at the Hard Rock Stadium, with Al Ahly fans providing plenty of atmosphere along with some of the Miami supporters’ groups, setting the tone for what this tournament might have in store.

It eased some concerns about whether fans will show up and whether there will be an atmosphere around the tournament.

Now, Inter Miami and Porto have the task of filling the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Miami need a shock result to progress

Inter Miami and their coach, Javier Mascherano, might have felt they needed a win from that opener against Al Ahly.

Three points early on against the team they would have been most fancied to get something from would have put less pressure on these potentially trickier games against European and South American opposition.

As it was, Al Ahly had the better chances to score, and the giants of Egyptian and African football were unlucky not to come away with a win. To illustrate that, Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was the game’s best player.

Trezeguet saw a penalty saved by Ustari on his return to his boyhood club, sparing Inter Miami the embarrassment of losing the opener in their latest adopted home stadium in Miami Gardens.

The Floridians now travel to Atlanta to face Porto, where another draw would keep them in the mix, but a defeat might be the beginning of the end. 

Playing away from home against the group favourites is a chance to show what they are made of.

There’s always a chance

With Messi around…

Messi showed enough against Al Ahly to suggest he can make his mark on this tournament.

An audacious effort from outside the area following a corner routine almost caught Mohamed El Shenawi off guard, but the experienced goalkeeper scrambled back to tip the shot onto the bar.

Messi was heavily involved, finishing the game with 76 touches, and also created a couple of good chances for teammates.

His cross late on gave Fafà Picault a chance that could have won the game, but El Shenawi saved the header from close range.

Sergio Busquets, at 36 years old, still enjoys this type of summer football tournament, taking the heat out of things with simple, efficient passing that can create chances further down the line.

Inter Miami will be the underdogs against a UEFA Champions League and Europa League regular, but they still have the players to win these games against the odds.

Porto pressure

Porto will also have been disappointed not to begin their campaign with a win, as the other match in Group A also finished goalless.

In that game, the Brazilian side, Palmeiras, who won the Copa Libertadores in 2021, showed they will be tough to beat, and like Al Ahly did versus Miami, will have felt they should have snatched a win against Porto.

That Porto’s goalkeeper Claudio Ramos received the highest FotMob rating in that game tells a story similar to Ustari’s in the other game.

It leaves Porto still looking for their first win, which could be bad news for Inter Miami.

Striker Samuel Aghehowa was kept quiet by Palmeiras, but the 21-year-old Spaniard, who was Porto’s top scorer last season, will fancy his chances against the MLS team’s shaky defence.

18-year-old attacking midfielder Rodrigo Mora is another one to look out for in the Porto ranks, while winger Pepê will be hoping to start and make an impact, having begun on the bench versus Palmeiras.

Porto’s top scorers in the Liga Portugal last season

Prediction

Porto should be able to do what Al Ahly couldn’t and finish their chances against Inter Miami, and after the 0-0 draws in the opening games, this one could see a few goals.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Club World Cup with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.