Analyzing Inter Miami: Defensive disarray, lack of discipline, and more
Three takeaways from Inter Miami's 5-1 throttling at the hands of Nashville SC
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — It was always going to be a tough task for Inter Miami given how depleted the team was defensively, but things went about as bad as anyone could have expected.
A patchwork back line failed to hold up for Inter Miami on Wednesday night, with the South Florida side suffering its latest blowout loss of the season via a 5-1 humbling vs. Nashville SC. It took just six minutes for the visiting side to break the deadlock at Drv Pnk Stadium, and from there the Herons’ back line was sliced and shredded en route to matching the franchise record for most goals given up in a game that was set earlier this year.
Sure, the team was a bit depleted with starting centerbacks Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Nicolas Figal both suspended in addition to reserves Ryan Shawcross and Ventura being out with injuries. However, this game could not be chalked up as a one-off given that it followed a 4-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls in which Gonzalez Pirez and Figal were present.
“We cannot hide behind the fact that it was five goals, five mistakes, individual errors,” said Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville on Wednesday night. “Four goals on Friday, four individual errors. Nothing to do with any kind of tactics or system. It is about players taking accountability (after) making silly mistakes.”
There is a level of truth to how individual blunders led to some of the goals conceded against Nashville SC, most notably goalkeeper Nick Marsman’s inability to hold onto a cross on the second tally. Nonetheless, there were tactical issues as well, such as the poor understanding between left centerback Christian Makoun and returning left wingback Kieran Gibbs.
That was evident on both the first and third goals, as the two did not seem to be on the same page with their defensive actions. Makoun nor Blaise Matuidi covered Gibbs’ frantic attempt to pressure on the opener, and the Englishman also does not track back with enough urgency or desire on the tally that made it 3-0.
There was also a question of the makeshift defense that was used. Neville did not say after the match why he stuck with the 5-2-3 formation after stating in the pregame press conference that changing the system might be required given the personnel available, but there is some rationale behind wanting to keep more numbers back in order to limit the spaces for the opponent. Even if it meant having to play Gregore and Kelvin Leerdam out of their natural positions and at the sweeper and right centerback roles, respectively.
Ultimately, the gamble did not pay off. Inter Miami’s back line not only lacked size — as was evident on the second goal when Walker Zimmerman out-jumped everyone — but it lacked cohesion and understanding for how to put out fires. Nashville SC scored early, created chances often, and found the back of the net frequently.
“We cannot blame this loss on missing players,” said central midfielder Jay Chapman. “Everybody on the field has a job to do, and I do not think any of us were good enough tonight.”
Lack of discipline on display again
Another troubling development that came out of this match was the lack of discipline that Inter Miami continued to show. Gregore might have been given a questionable second yellow card in the 86th minute, but his decision to put himself in a position to get sent off was a poor one. Especially with the game being so far out of reach.
The two cards Gregore received means he will now miss next week’s entire road trip. The captain will sit out the first game against Atlanta United due to his ejection this past Wednesday, and the ensuing match vs. the Portland Timbers due to yellow card accumulation after picking up a joint league-high 11th caution of the campaign.
Losing such a vital player is always tough, but even more so during this crucial final stretch of the season in which Inter Miami is pushing for a playoff spot. What makes it even worse, however, is that the team continues to shoot itself in the foot with these type of avoidable decisions. Gonzalez Pirez missed the match vs. Nashville SC due to an unnecessary yellow that he previously earned for shouting at a fallen opponent, and Figal earned a two-game ban like Gregore just did for an equally needless foul off the ball.
“Ultimately, we have got players missing games of football because of a lack of discipline,” said Neville. “We cannot blame the referee for (11) yellow cards for Leandro, for Gregore and obviously the sending off the other day was a sending off.
“One or two yellow cards you could probably moan about, complain about, but ultimately when you have (11) yellow cards and a couple of sendings off if you are one player then you need to look at yourself and think that you are costing your teammates at the moment in terms of your lack of discipline.”
Carranza underwhelms in first start since July
Julian Carranza may have been playing out of position and making his first start since July, but once again did not demonstrate a whole lot.
Neville deployed Carranza out on the wing at the beginning of the game, effectively taking the spot of usual starter Robbie Robinson. The Inter Miami manager explained the decision as being down to freshness and form, but Carranza did not translate that onto the field.
The usual striker had some moments when playing with his back to goal and laying off passes to teammates, but never posed that much of a threat and struggled to find the game playing out of his natural spot. The Argentine finished with 27 touches, the lowest of any Inter Miami starter in this match.
Carranza has yet to really impress in South Florida, and his future with the team will likely be in question given his high salary unless he can start making good with more influential performances on the field. It is true he does not usually get a whole lot of minutes, but he needs to begin doing more with the opportunities he has.