‘It’s really natural’: Tata Martino begins first day as Inter Miami head coach
FORT LAUDERDALE — Inter Miami’s changing of the guard has officially happened.
Tata Martino — the Lionel Messi-connected, internationally renowned soccer coach — is now Miami’s head coach.
He ran his first practice Monday morning after initially being announced as the successor at the end of June and waiting for his work visa. From then until today, Martino was an observer, taking notice of his new team and watching the last three Inter Miami matches from afar.
“In reality, from what I see and from what is being worked on outside the field, I am very optimistic,” Martino said via Google translate.
Martino, who is now Inter Miami’s third head coach this season, coached Messi on two separate occasions with FC Barcelona and the Argentina National Team. Fellow incoming star Sergio Busquets was also coached by Martino at Barcelona.
As for the team Martino inherits, it’s one that is playing some of its best soccer as of late. The 5-13-3 record is the worst in the Eastern Conference, though Miami has rattled off three straight draws against current playoff teams after previously losing seven consecutive games.
Long-term injuries have been an issue, and so have the absences of defenders DeAndre Yedlin and Kamal Miller, who have been away from the team with national team duties. Miami has also conceded a goal in 19 straight MLS matches dating back to March 4.
But where Inter Miami and Morales have found success is in its young, homegrown players.
Last Saturday against D.C. United, four former academy players — Benjamin Cremaschi, Ian Fray, Noah Allen and David Ruiz — started, while Israel Boatwright and Edison Azcona came on as substitutes. Cremaschi and Allen both scored their first career MLS goals during the match.
“It’s how we were raised,” Fray said. “We got fight in us and we’re gonna show that every time we’re on the field.”
“I’ve seen it be a very competitive team and a team that tries on the field to resolve the problems that we’ve having off the pitch,” said Martino through a team interpreter.
Six @InterMiamiAcad products on the field tonight, the freedom to dream continues pic.twitter.com/cZjhFyT3rd
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 9, 2023
There is no blueprint though for an MLS team like Miami that is going through such great mid-season upheaval. This is a landmark situation for American soccer and Martino’s arrival is just the beginning.
Morales has handled the unusual transition with class and the players don’t seem distracted — including the young ones who are simultaneously getting their feet wet in the MLS.
“It’s really natural,” Fray said. “I think they’re doing a really good job with that and making everyone feel as comfortable as possible with it.”
But eventually, the gutting must translate to wins. Miami hasn’t won since May 13 and Martino’s first match this Saturday will be a tricky one at at St. Louis, who leads the Western Conference with 38 points.
Don’t expect big changes to the team just yet.
“You don’t change the team in only five training sessions,” Martino said. “But, we’re going to slowly start adding some things from our tactical approach.”
Regardless, this is the first major ingredient in Inter Miami’s pot of excitement that’s been boiling all summer.
It will only become crazier by next Sunday when Inter Miami hosts “The Unveil” at DRV PNK Stadium — the expected official introductions of Messi and Sergio Busquets.
“Everyone’s excited about it,” Fray said. “We’re also just focused on the next game.”
No update on Nicolas Stefanelli
Martino also gave his first injury update Monday morning, but nothing new was available regarding Stefanelli.
“Stefanlli has an ankle injury and they will assess the severity of the injury today,” Martino said.
The midfielder was injured in the first half on Saturday. He tried to remain in the game after first being checked by Miami’s medical staff, but fell to the turf again shortly after play resumed. Boatwright replaced him in the 29th minute.
Stefanelli has started in 15 games this season and appeared in five others. He’s scored one goal, one assist and leads Inter Miami in fouls suffered (22).