Sergio Busquets has issued a rally cry to his Inter Miami teammates as they prepare to do battle without their talisman Lionel Messi.
The Argentine superstar has been the catalyst as Miami found form just at the right time as they chase a playoffs place in MLS. They will have to do without their captain in their next fixture, however, as after he joined up with his compatriot for the international break.
Due to MLS rules, teams in the league still fulfil fixtures despite clashes with international games, meaning he will miss Vice City's clash versus Kansas City. The fixture will take place on September 10, which comes in the middle of Argentina's matches against Columbia and Bolivia.
The legendary forward has notched 11 goals in as many appearances for his new employers and helped to deliver the Leagues Cup last month. However, fellow key player Busquets has now urged his teammates to ensure that they continue their purple patch in their leader's absence.
He said: "It will be a difficult match with so many national team players missing, including Leo, who is always a difference maker for us, not only with his goals and assists but how he plays. We have to step it up, prepare well and hope to continue in the same way we have been playing to reach our objective."
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The Eastern Conference outfit have had some experience of playing without the World Cup winner since his arrival after he was rested for their match with New York Red Bulls. In that instance, the iconic winger sat on the bench for 60 minutes of the game, before being introduced and scoring their second goal of the game.
They had gone 1-0 up prior to his foray into the action and the team's hardy performance will leave manager Tata Martino feeling confident heading into the game versus Kansas City. Faced with a similar situation, they will be tasked with keeping their playoff qualification hopes alive.
Gerardo Martino made an admission over MLS' current scheduling arrangements in relation to international breaks (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)Echoing the midfield maestro's words, Martino also added: "This [playing with a rotation] is something we need to get used to because Leo is going to join his national team. He'll miss at least three games this year and next year it will be the same, and we need to understand that when he's not here the team still needs to provide results."
Of course, prior to the megastar's introduction to the team, they had made a catastrophic start to the season, winning just one in ten games. Their lacklustre form at during the first half of the campaign cost Phil Neville his job and left Miami rooted to the bottom of the standings.
However, they have experienced a stark transformation since Messi's debut and they have won two and drawn one game in MLS in that time. Perhaps their most impressive showing was their comprehensive 3-1 away victory versus MLS Cup holders LAFC in their most recent fixture.
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