Inter Miami will face Orlando City on Sunday at Exploria Stadium in one of the team’s biggest challenges yet. 

The team will be without star figures Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, after head coach Gerardo Martino confirmed the two suffered setbacks to previous injuries in the match against Toronto FC on Wednesday night. Though the former FC Barcelona players started the game, the two left the pitch before the halftime whistle. 

Alba remained on the bench for the rest of the match, while Messi headed straight to the locker room.

This will be the first string of matches without Alba and Messi since the two joined Inter Miami in July, and Orlando City will be sure to capitalize on the absences. The Florida rivals currently sit in second place on the Eastern Conference table, dominating consistently to manage 50 points in 29 games. On the other hand, Inter Miami stand in 13th place with just 31 points in 28 matches.

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino confirmed Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will not feature against Orlando City on Sunday, after suffering setbacks to previous injuries during Wednesday’s match vs Toronto FC. 

The two former FC Barcelona players kicked off the match at DRV PNK Stadium, but exited the pitch by the 35th minute with apparent issues.

“Leo is dealing with an old scar tissue (issue) and Jordi has muscular fatigue. We will evaluate them day by day. It’s bothersome [for Messi]. I don’t know if it hurts, I can’t really explain as it’s more a medical topic. It‘s probable it bothers him to the point, including mentally, that he isn’t able to play freely,” explained Martino.

The head coach is likely to depend on Leonardo Campana and Facundo Farias up top instead.

Inter Miami predicted lineup (4-3-3): Callendar; Yedlin, Aviles, Miller, Allen; Arroyo, Busquets, Cremaschi; Taylor, Campana, Farias.

Inter Miami proved the team can win without Messi and Alba, after managing the 4-0 triumph over Toronto FC. But we can’t forget about the 5-2 loss to Atlanta United the week before. Given the Herons’ priority remains the US Open Cup final on Wednesday, Orlando City should dominate throughout and score a couple goals.

It’ll be on the defense to hold back Martín Ojeda and Facundo Torres, otherwise it’ll be a purple goal fest.

Prediction: Orlando City 3-1 Inter Miami

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