CF Montréal Braces for Messi-Less Inter Miami CF Montréal faces a pivotal matchup against Inter Miami CF on Saturday, with the absence of Lionel Messi and his Argentine teammate Rodrigo De Paul potentially altering the dynamics of the game. The 39-year-old Messi, who has drawn massive crowds to Stade Saputo in previous visits, is taking a break following Inter Miami’s World Cup final appearance. His absence leaves a significant void on and off the field, though Montreal interim head coach Philippe Eullaffroy expressed optimism about the opportunity. Eullaffroy acknowledged the challenge of facing a team without its star player but emphasized the importance of preparation. “Well, if the best player in the world is not playing against you, I think it’s a good thing,” he said. However, he also noted the difficulty of assessing Inter Miami’s new identity under coach Guillermo Hoyos, who has recently signed Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. “We don’t really know what type of team we’re going to have in front of us,” Eullaffroy admitted. Despite the uncertainty, he highlighted Inter Miami’s resilience, citing their recent 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire FC without Messi or De Paul. The matchup comes at a critical juncture for Montreal, which is navigating a demanding schedule after a three-week World Cup break. The club returned to action with a two-legged Canadian Championship tie and a rivalry match against Toronto FC, followed by three consecutive games against Eastern Conference powerhouses. Montreal’s thin squad, already struggling with injuries and departures, faces additional pressure from a lack of offensive firepower. A 1-0 loss to Nashville SC on Wednesday has left the team with minimal time to recover, forcing Eullaffroy to balance preparation with limited resources.#inter_miami_cf #guillermo_hoyos #cf_montral #philippe_eullaffroy #stade_saputo
