Inter Miami predicted lineup vs Nashville SC - Champions Cup
- Miami's last starting XI worked to perfection against Orlando over the weekend
- The Herons' starting right-back departed to club in a trade with FC Cincinnati earlier this week
- Tata Martino might look to add a fresh face in the middle of the park
Inter Miami boss Gerardo 'Tata' Martino will be forced to tweak his lineup against Nashville SC in the Champions Cup after DeAndre Yedlin's transfer to FC Cincinnati.
Martino's side put in a perfect shift last time out, winning 5-0 over in-state rivals Orlando City in which the south Florida side kept their second clean sheet of the 2024 MLS season. But after Yedlin's trade to Cincinnati earlier this week, the former Mexico national team head coach just might have to make a couple of changes to his starting lineup against Nashville on Thursday night.
The likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will retain their place in the XI, but Julian Gressel could be moved into a more defensive position with the team rather short at full-back.
Here's how Miami could line up in the first leg against the Coyotes.
Inter Miami predicted lineup vs Nashville SC (4-3-3)
GK: Drake Callender - The USMNT shot-stopper leads the Herons into battle after back-to-back solid showings in MLS.
RB: Julian Gressel - The former Atlanta United and Columbus Crew player is forced to take on a more defensive role at full-back following DeAndre Yedlin's departure to FC Cincinnati.
CB: Tomas Aviles - He was a given a breather near the end of the win against Orlando and is set to bolster the backline.
CB: Nicolas Freire - Like Aviles, he too was taken off well before full-time on Saturday and is set to anchor Martino's defense.
LB: Jordi Alba - Despite reportedly missing training earlier in the week, the former Barcelona figure is expected to feature from the jump.
CM: David Ruiz - The 20-year-old slots into the middle of the park after Gressels' move back to full-back, looking to improve Martino in the first leg.
CM: Sergio Busquets - The seasoned midfield general is at the controls in the midfield alongside his younger comrades.
CM: Diego Gomez - His standout performances early on in the season see him earn another start.
RW: Lionel Messi - No surprises here, as the greatest ever hopes to be amongst the goals come Thursday night in Nashville.
ST: Luis Suarez - After playing under 70 minutes at the weekend, the Uruguayan legend will be eager to carry his goalscoring from MLS to the Champions Cup.
LW: Robert Taylor - Martino's limited options up front sees the Finland international take up shop from the start after a couple of impressive performances to start the 2024 season.
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