No illusions

Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

A NUMBER of pundits have labelled tonight’s CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 game between Inter Miami and Cavalier as the battle of David vs Golliath.

The two face off in the first leg of the round-of-16 tie at the Chase Stadium here in Fort Lauderdale, with the visitors the clear underdogs.

Rudolph Speid, head coach of Cavalier, doesn’t mind.

“They are saying it is David versus Goliath, but that is my favourite Bible story,” said Speid.

Inter Miami CF have been impressive over the last few weeks but play against a Cavalier unit that has been struggling with injury and spotty performances in the Jamaica Premier League.

Still, Speid says his team has already put all that behind it and is focusing on the game tonight.

“We have finished our preparation. We trained on Monday, Tuesday and this morning [Wednesday]. We know what we are up against,” he said.

“I know Messi rested because he wanted to be at his best to play us,” Speid said with a tinge of humour in his voice.

But more seriously, he said: “We understand their strengths. We will be ready. There is no secret about what they can do, and they have players to carry it out. We know what to expect from them. The problem is, can we stop them?” he questioned.

But there are other questions just as important, said Speid.

“Can they stop what we have been trying to do?” he asked.

Speid believes his young, though experienced, team has the advantage of playing without fear and apprehension even as they play in what is the biggest competitive club game a Jamaican team will ever play.

EXPERIENCED TEAM

“They also have some weaknesses, but to exploit them is a different ball game. We are prepared, but overall, this is an experienced team that has played over 20 international games. Our feet will be on the ground,” Speid said.

Lionel Messi won’t be the only problem for Speid’s unit though, as Inter Miami boasts the likes of Sergio Bousquets, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba, all of whom played with Messi during some of Barcelona’s greatest days.

Cavalier, on the other hand, will likely be looking to hitman Jalmaro Calvin to get them something from the game (Calvin has found the back of the net 13 times in the Jamaica Premier League) while hoping that defenders like Jeovani Laing can keep Inter Miami’s scoring to a minimum.

“It is very important we don’t come and sit back. We have to take something home, especially to force Lionel to come home for Jamaicans to see him,” said Laing.

The defender also believes it is important for the players not to get star struck and remember their professionalism for 90 minutes.

“It is very important [to get at least a point from the game] because, of course, we will be having the home advantage and we are going to have a packed stadium. Every team on the road, we always try to get a positive takeaway so we can come home to get positive results. It is also an opportunity to show our talents on the biggest stage as millions will be watching,” Laing added, saying it has been a dream come true for the players, the country, and the Caribbean to play against Messi.

Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami head coach, who also played with Messi et al at Barcelona, said it is important to start the game on the front foot.

“It is important for us to try to play very good tomorrow night [tonight],” he said.

“We know that we are playing at home in front of our fans, so we can have an advantage. We will be good to go to Jamaica and complete the job. Tomorrow night’s last 16 for us is a final, so we cannot think of any other thing other than the game,” Mascherano said.

Mascherano said Cavalier were a young team but that that made them dangerous.

“They didn’t play last week because I think they were in reservation for this game. They are going to be fresh, so it is the only way we can have a chance to play a very good game and start strong.”