Phil Neville on friendly vs. FC Barcelona: "It is the biggest game in Inter Miami's history"
Inter Miami welcomes the Spanish giants to a high-profile exhibition at Drv Pnk Stadium on Tuesday night
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Inter Miami’s match vs. FC Barcelona on Tuesday may just be a friendly and unlimited substitutions might be available, but none of that is stopping Phil Neville from calling it the biggest game in his team’s short history.
Neville reiterated that statement on Monday evening during Inter Miami’s pre-game press conference while previewing Tuesday’s exhibition at Drv Pnk Stadium against Barcelona. The English manager had initially made that statement publicly about a week ago, and doubled down on it despite facing some initial backlash over his labeling of the match.
“It is the biggest game in the club’s history because of the size of the club that we have managed to bring to our city,” said Neville on Monday in front of what may have been the largest media turnout Inter Miami has ever had. “I think when you talk about Barcelona you talk about an institution of football with the history that they have got, one of the biggest clubs, one of the biggest sports brands in the whole of the world.
“When you are into Year 3 of your expansion and you manage to bring a club of this size to South Florida … we have sold out the stadium for the first time. That is why it is so big. It is on television all the way around the world. That is why it is so big. It is going to be the most amazing occasion.”
While Neville could just be saying that to serve as a good spokesman for Inter Miami in order to try and drum up buzz and publicity for the exhibition, it is hard to deny the high level of interest that exists. Most of it is of course due to Barcelona’s presence, but the South Florida side had around 200 media credential requests for Tuesday night’s friendly, plans to broadcast the game locally and internationally, and believes it will help grow the Inter Miami brand globally.
Still, there are no points up for grab in this high-profile meeting nor is there even a symbolic trophy at stake. The contest remains a friendly, a type of game that is usually less competitive in nature. It will not impact any standings, is part of Barcelona’s preseason U.S. tour, and offers both teams the use of unlimited subs so as to allow for a rotation of players in order to keep them fresh for what lies ahead.
“All my squad will play,” said Neville of his approach to Tuesday’s friendly. “We are allowed unlimited substitutions, both teams. They are in the early parts of their preseason, so every single player will get an opportunity to play tomorrow night.
“I think I owe that to the players that have been playing and not been playing.”
In Inter Miami’s case, what is next is a league tussle away to Eastern Conference foe New York City FC on Saturday. Three MLS points are at stake in that one, and that is no minor thing for the Herons as they aim to push back into the playoff picture during a busy July in which they will play a total of seven games.
“I really, really, really, really hate when we are saying we are in a tough stretch,” said Neville. “We are playing Barcelona at home. We should just look at this as the greatest opportunity to go on and put your skill against the best players in the world.
“That is the attitude of my players. As soon as we came off [the field] on Saturday, we said, ‘Right, we have to go beat Barcelona'.’ That is the next challenge, not New York City. New York City will look after itself. We have to go and beat Barcelona.”
Regardless of the importance of Tuesday’s game and whether it means more than the 2020 playoff game that came against Nashville SC, Inter Miami will have a chance to test itself against one of the most storied teams in the world this week. It might not be in the most competitive setting, but nonetheless the South Florida side is looking forward to it.
“I think it is a game that every player wants to play in,” said Inter Miami captain Gregore in Spanish. “We want to enjoy this game to the fullest and we want to learn, compete, and try to win the game.”
Added Neville: “There are no friendlies. We want to compete. We want to make sure that we give Barcelona a good game. We want to test ourselves against the best.”