Inter Miami Injury Update – Sergio Busquets’ Ankle Knock, Latest on Luis Suarez’s Fitness & Nicholas Freire’s Availability

A new season, a renamed stadium, and a 2-0 MLS opener win against Real Salt Lake. Inter Miami has had a dream start to their campaign. What makes the win even sweeter is that fans doubted the Herons’ prospects after their lackluster show in the pre-season friendlies. However, even after such a triumph, Lionel Messi’s club is not without any woes. As has always been the case, injury concerns continue to unsettle them. As of now, the physical conditions of superstars Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez have raised concerns among the club’s faithful.

While Messi played all 90 minutes of the game, both Busquets and Suarez were subbed off before the game ended. Notably, Busquets took a hit to his ankle in a pre-season friendly and Suarez has a chronic knee problem. However, there is some positive news about defender Nicolas Freire, who missed the entire pre-season because of an injury.

Tata Martino on Sergio Busquets’ ankle, Suarez, and Freire

Sergio Busquets took a brutal tackle from Vissel Kobe’s Yuya Osako during the pre-season friendly and picked up an injury. Thereafter, he was left out of the squad against Newell’s Old Boys. Busquets returned against Real Salt Lake, but Lawson Sunderland replaced him in the 84th minute. Hence, Tata Martino was quizzed about Busquets’ ankle injury after today’s win. “His ankle knock was giving him trouble. It’s nothing serious,” said Martino. He gave a positive update on the long-injured Nicolas Freire, confirming he expects him to travel for the upcoming LA Galaxy game.

As per journalist Alex Windley, who covers Inter Miami, Luis Suarez appeared fine after the Real Salt Lake game. Anyhow, the Uruguayan has suffered from a knee problem since he underwent surgery in 2020. Besides, Suarez also missed Miami’s friendly against Hong Kong because of knee injury concerns. Since Tata Martino subbed him before the final whistle, we should wait till Inter Miami’s next game to figure out if Suarez is injured or not. While Martino is somewhat optimistic about Busquets, Suarez, and Freire, a few other injuries still rock the Herons’ camp.

Inter Miami’s other casualties

Facundo Farias and Benjamin Cremaschi are two crucial names in Inter Miami’s attacking prowess. Unfortunately, the Herons have been missing them due to injuries. Farias tore his cruciate ligament against El Salvador and is ruled out for the rest of the season. Cremaschi, on the other hand, suffers from abdominal pain and his expected date of return is yet to be confirmed by the club.

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Besides these two, Franco Negri, Serhiy Kryvtsov, and Ian Fray are also missing play time because of injuries. The club is not yet sure as to when they will resume action. Furthermore, it is alarming to note that Busquets’ ankle troubled him during the game. Hence, it is quite likely that the star midfielder’s presence will be a last-minute call for Martino.

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