Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has dismissed claims that the team performs better without Luis Suárez.
He emphasized that every player is critical for the club’s ambitions as they prepare to face FC Cincinnati.
The team reached the knockout stage of the MLS playoffs by defeating Nashville SC in a best-of-three series.
The decisive final game ended 4-0 in Inter Miami’s favor, with Suárez absent due to a one-game suspension for violent conduct.
Mascherano praised Suárez, noting the striker’s significant contributions throughout the season.
“We have played 55 games this season, which we have won, I think, 31. And the majority, we have done so with Luis Suárez on the field,” he said.
The coach added that pointing out individual players would be disrespectful to Suárez’s career.
Mascherano reiterated that success depends on the full roster, stressing that each game presents unique challenges.
“Cincinnati is not Nashville. They play differently,” he said.
Suárez contributed 10 goals and 10 assists across 28 regular season matches, helping Inter Miami finish third in the Eastern Conference.
The team will travel to TQL Stadium in Cincinnati for the knockout match, aiming to reach the Eastern Conference final for the first time.
Mascherano downplayed the idea that Sunday’s game is the most important since the club’s MLS debut.
“We’ve spent the entire season saying that, the Concacaf Champions League semifinal, Club World Cup, it’s welcome that every time there is a more important game than the one we played previously,” he said.
He emphasized focusing on preparation rather than entertaining thoughts of defeat.
“It’s not in my head to not win. The team has reached this part of the season in the best way,” Mascherano said.
Inter Miami enters the semifinal with a mostly healthy roster after international duties removed several players.
Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul returned to training after representing Argentina, while Ian Fray remains a doubt due to injury.
The team’s focus will be on strategy and cohesion as they seek to advance further in the playoffs.
