Blaise Matuidi, Rodolfo Pizarro acknowledge their Inter Miami struggles
The two Designated Players touched on their subpar 2021 seasons on Thursday
Blaise Matuidi and Rodolfo Pizarro are two of Inter Miami’s most important players, but both of them have been dropped from the starting lineup at different points this year due to their struggles.
They both talked about that on Thursday.
Inter Miami is two days away from visiting New York City FC, and both Matuidi and Pizarro figure to play a part in some capacity. Not only are the veterans two of the team’s Designated Players, but they are also fresh off improved starting performances that helped the South Florida side extend its franchise-record unbeaten run to four games with this past weekend’s 2-1 win vs. Nashville SC.
Matuidi delivered what may have been his best-ever outing in an Inter Miami jersey, making plays on both sides of the ball en route to being named to the MLS Team of the Week.
“I need to be more focused and I think we had a great discussion with the coach and also with Gonzalo (Higuain), who helped me a lot here and the same for him from me,” said Matuidi. “For me it was important because I won a lot of titles, but that is not enough. I came here to win also, and to be in this position we are in today for us is not enough because we have a lot of quality on this team. I trust this team and I trust also what I can do on the field.
“I think in these last three games, that is the Blaise who people want to see. I have to keep focused on that and work hard in training and be focused on the field every day because at the end you play as you train and I think that is what I missed before.”
The 34-year-old Matuidi did not go into much detail for why his focus may not have been at the necessary levels prior to his recent benching, which started on July 25 vs. the Philadelphia Union and lasted two games.
A possible explanation, however, could be that he lacked motivation. After all, the Frenchman has won the World Cup and various other prestigious competitions at the game’s highest levels throughout his very accomplished career.
“For me, it was important to be more focused on what I have to do on the field and also for the team because I know my quality and for me it is the best way to be better,” said Matuidi, who delivered his first assist of the season vs. Nashville SC. “I try every day to be better and better, and I know before these three, four games I was not in my best condition, but I work a lot at training and I do more to become better. I am happy for the moment, but it is not finished. I have to improve every day.”
As for Pizarro, he has endured a significant dip in form this year. The Mexican international has not only struggled to make an impact for Inter Miami because of injuries, but he revealed Thursday that things in his private life have impacted him as well.
“Honestly, they had been some difficult months,” said the 27-year-old Pizarro in Spanish. “I had several injuries that were difficult, too, but I honestly feel really good right now. Like I said, they were difficult months in which I had some personal issues as well, but thankfully everything is very good. I am happy, pleased, and with the desire to play and be in a good way.”
Both Matuidi and Pizarro know they have to perform better in order to help Inter Miami climb out of the hole it is in. The team is currently in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, eight points shy of a playoff spot just before the midway point of the season.
“We know we (lost) a lot of games,” said Matuidi, “so we will need the best Blaise Matuidi, the best Gonzalo Higuain, the best Rodolfo Pizarro to go to the playoffs.”