PSG coach Luis Enrique warned his players that even a brief lapse on the field could cost them the match.
While Inter Miami still has a long way to go to reach the top tiers of club football, the presence of big names like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba on their squad has caught Enrique’s full attention. Ahead of the upcoming showdown, the Spanish coach issued a clear caution to his own team.
Inter Miami’s spot in the expanded Club World Cup was both surprising and somewhat controversial. FIFA chose to give the host club a place instead of the MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy, instead awarding it to Inter Miami, who won the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.
That’s now history. Through their group stage performances, Miami has proven their worth—remaining unbeaten with one win and two draws, earning 5 points and securing a place in the knockout rounds. Now, their quarter-final opponent is PSG, this season’s UEFA Champions League winner and Messi’s former club, where the Argentine’s stint didn’t quite go as hoped.
Though on paper this looks like a mismatch, Enrique is highly cautious—mainly because of Messi and the three other stars he once coached at Barcelona.
Enrique knows exactly what this Miami lineup is capable of on the pitch and reminded his team of that repeatedly on the eve of the match.
“In football, anyone who gets complacent for even 10 seconds will realize exactly where they stand. It’s not that Inter Miami suddenly has a high level or quality—they’ve never lost that. I’ve watched all three of their matches, as well as previous ones, and they have that quality. If we don’t put pressure on them right from the start, it will be hard to keep them under pressure.”
“If we can’t win the ball back from them, things won’t go well for us, because Busquets is still the same, Messi is unmatched on the ball, and Luis Suarez—you all saw his latest goal—has great skill in maintaining possession. Jordi Alba is pushing forward just like before.”
Enrique also highlighted the presence of Javier Mascherano on Miami’s bench, another former Barcelona player he coached during a successful era.
“They even have a coach like Mascherano. One thing is clear—we either perform exceptionally well and maintain the necessary intensity on the field, or they will win. It’s straightforward, no doubt about it.”
The match between PSG and Inter Miami will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and kicks off at 10 PM Bangladesh time on Sunday.
