ATLANTA – Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano believes his side can defy expectations and shock European champions Paris Saint-Germain when both teams clash in the Club World Cup Round of 16 on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Though acknowledging the gulf in class between the two sides, Mascherano remains hopeful that Miami, inspired by Lionel Messi, can rise to the occasion.
“We will try to be up to the standard… and why can’t we dream of being able to shock them?” Mascherano said at a pre-match press conference on Saturday.
Mascherano’s side reached the knockout stage after a surprise group-stage campaign, which included a notable win over Portuguese giants FC Porto, finishing second in Group A behind Palmeiras.
Facing newly-crowned UEFA Champions League winners PSG, Mascherano called the encounter a “huge challenge” but urged his players to give their all.
“We know we’re taking on one of the best teams in the world, but this is football,” he said. “Tomorrow, why not try to play the best game possible… and have the chance of competing?”
While PSG are heavy favourites, the Argentine coach rejected the idea of being written off before kickoff. “We are not naive. It’s clear we’re the weaker team — that doesn’t mean they can kill us in advance. We will fight,” he asserted.
Mascherano, who played under PSG manager Luis Enrique at Barcelona, relishes the reunion. “Luis is one of the best coaches I’ve had… He convinced me to stay at Barca. Testing yourself against a coach and a team of that level is a challenge.”
The game also reunites Barcelona’s 2015 treble-winning quartet — Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba — now all with Miami. Mascherano praised Messi’s presence: “The most important thing is that Leo is well and that Leo plays for us… that helps keep us calmer.”
Meanwhile, 22-year-old midfielder Federico Redondo, son of legendary Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Redondo, emphasized the need for defensive discipline.
“They [PSG] dominate you and oblige you to defend more,” he said, adding that his father’s advice was simple: “Enjoy it and keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
Kickoff is set for Sunday night in Atlanta, with a quarter-final spot up for grabs and the underdog Miami side dreaming of a famous upset.
