FC Dallas head coach Nicolás Estévez has spoken about taking a Gerardo Martino side with Lionel Messi in attack.
With just hours to go before the Leagues Cup Round of 16 games, FC Dallas are preparing to face an Inter Miami side brimming with confidence.
Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have all joined the MLS club, who will be looking to book a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
On Friday, less than 48 hours before the match, FC Dallas head coach Nicolás Estévez has spoken about taking on Gerardo Martino’s team. Estévez has discussed the fixture and Messi on DSports Radio.
“Pep Guardiola has already made it clear. The team with Lionel Messi is always the favorite,” he said.
Messi changed everything
He is aware that Sunday’s match will not be just another game and knows that the pressure of playing in a knockout stage is compounded by the complexity of the opponent.
The Spanish tactician does believe in his squad and, despite the differences, added: “We will try to be the bad guys in Messi’s Major League Soccer story”.
Estévez went on to discuss what the US league is like and how it has been impacted by the arrival of Messi. “Messi’s arrival changed everything,” he said.
FC Dallas’ Leagues Cup run
The team from Texas did not have a great start in the Leagues Cup. In their first match, after a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes, they lost 4-1 in their penalty shootout against Charlotte FC. Against Necaxa of Mexico, they recorded an important 3-0 win that kept them going in the competition. And, with a 2-1 win over Mazatlan, they booked their place in the Round of 16, where they will be hoping to stop Messi.
FC Dallas’ position in the MLS standings (eighth in the Western Conference) would have made them favorites a few weeks ago, however, with Inter Miami’s recent signings, things have changed.
When will Inter Miami and FC Dallas play in the Leagues Cup?
The match between FC Dallas and Inter Miami will be played this Sunday, August 6, at Toyota Stadium in Texas.