Three Takeaways From Inter Miami's Opening Day Win VS. CF Montreal | The Heron Outlet
Phil Neville's men opened the season with a win for the first time in club history. Here are three things we learned.
photo courtesy of Inter Miami CF
Fort Lauderdale, FL - For the first time in club history, Inter Miami won their opening game of the season with a 2-0 victory over Eastern Conference rivals CF Montreal.
After an off-season that saw the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Alejandro Pozuelo depart, many were left wondering if Miami could recapture that magic that saw them finish 6th in the East last year.
Last night, they proved some people wrong.
Not only did Phil Neville’s men win, but they won while playing well. The 4-4-2 diamond they deployed was strict but also very tactically freeing.
Players like Corentin Jean and Rodolfo Pizarro were free to combine and create wherever they pleased.
That freedom allowed Miami to attack with fluidity but also saw them keep their defensive shape via the midfield duo of Jean Mota and Gregore.
Drake Callender also came up huge for the team, making six saves that kept IMCF in the game.
As the season progresses, tactics and formations will naturally change, but last night gave us a fantastic glimpse of what’s to come for the Herons.
Here are three takeaways from Miami’s win over Montreal.
MLS Debuts!
Many anticipated the MLS debuts of new signings Nicolas Stefanelli, Franco Negri, and Serhiy Kryvtsov.
Luckily for Inter Miami, all three passed with flying colors.
While not fully fit, Stefanelli was active in both attack and defense. The Argentine ran ragged, pressing Montreal’s back line and disrupting their flow. He was substituted in the 62nd minute, but his presence was undoubtedly felt.
Fellow Argentine Franco Negri played like a man possessed.
Neville even said as much after the game.
Negri finished the match with five passes into the final third, four recoveries, two clearances, and completed the most dribbles in the game with three.
He was active on both ends of the pitch, but his offensive contributions gave Miami a nice balance in attack, something they didn't have last year:
Another reason why the Herons could attack with such freedom was the defensive positioning of Serhiy Kryvtsov.
The Ukraine international gave a man-of-the-match performance that saw him keep a clean sheet and score.
His composure, experience, and defensive awareness gave Miami a calming presence in the backline that was needed to play a possession heavy 4-4-2.
Play The Kids!
Good things happen when you play the youth.
South Florida native Shanyder Borgelin only recently signed a first-team contract with IMCF, but his impact was immediately felt vs. Montreal.
Substituted on in the 68th minute, the 21-year-old gave Miami an insurance goal just 10 minutes later to seal the win:
Inter Miami Academy graduate Benjamin Cremaschi also made his MLS debut as well.
Neville had this to say when asked about Miami’s youth movement after the game:
La Familia Shows Out
Lastly, the fans played a massive part in getting Miami over the line at the end of the game.
Neville and Kryvstov even shouted them out in their post-match conferences:
Inter Miami’s next home match is this weekend against the Philadelphia Union.
It'll be difficult, but if Miami play the way they did yesterday, they have a very good chance at getting a draw, or potentially even winning.
Negri was so good. An awesome signing. Gets forward. Gets back. Powerful shot. FRees McVey.
Sergii at 32:19 shows his defensive chops. Looks composed. The antithesis of reckless.
Pizarro, as a DP, pisses me off. As a TAM? I’d keep him.
Yedlin was exploited a number of times & his crosses were off. I think he missed Taylor ;-)
Borgelin? BORGELIN!!!! So strong on the ball. Will provide an amazing changeup in situations where opponents are ceding crosses.
Last… we have a quality backup at every position. That’s a well built team.
Truly a fantastic night for the club. Thank you for all the great coverage!