Orlando City Vs Inter Miami: 3 things we learned – Nani rescues Lions
By Alex Windley
2. Star power wins out
Unlike Inter Miami, Orlando City’s star Designated Player featured mightily. For the Lions, manager Oscar Pareja started a full-strength team, and Nani’s impact on the match was undeniable.
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The 33-year old Portuguese international not only scored the game-winning goal, but he also finished the match with 68 touches, a 77% pass success rating and four chances created. For Inter Miami, Rodolfo Pizarro didn’t enter the game until the 58th minute.
By that time, Andres Reyes was taken off due to injury and the complexion of the match changed. It’s been shown that Alonso does prefer playing with a back three and when, unfortunately, Reyes got injured, it forced the switch to a flat back four. That change saw Chris Mueller score in the 70th minute, sliding in at the far post to convert Nani’s low cross.
Orlando simply outmatched Miami in the star department. Nani showed up when his team needed him, and unfortunately, until Paul McDonough brings in that third and final DP and eight in midfield, Miami will continue to lack that punch.