"Why is he on this team?", "Contributes nothing" - Fans slam Lionel Messi's Inter Miami teammate after 2-1 loss to Nashville

Fans laid into Lionel Messi's Inter Miami teammate Tadeo Allende for his performance during the club's clash with Nashville SC on Saturday, November 1. Allende had a night to forget as his poor finishing and missed chances cost the Herons a 2-1 defeat in Game 2 of their first-round MLS playoff series.

Inter Miami cruised to a 3-1 win in Game 1 eight days ago, with Messi scoring a brace. All they needed was to secure another win in Geodis Park to win their first-ever MLS Cup playoff series.

However, Messi and Co. got off to a slow start, and it immediately proved costly as they found themselves behind inside the opening nine minutes. Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo came off his line to stop Sam Surridge from scoring in a 1v1 situation, but he ended up bringing the English forward to the ground. The hosts were subsequently awarded a penalty, which Surridge clinically dispatched.

Inter Miami rallied in response as the first half progressed, and Allende should have restored parity for his side barely after the half-hour mark, but he missed from close range. Miami’s woes were compounded just before halftime as Josh Bauer put Nashville 2-0 up from a corner.

The Herons came out guns blazing in the second half, but it wasn’t enough. They were only able to halve the deficit as Lionel Messi lashed a left-footed shot high into the opposition net in the final minute. Apart from missing a big chance, Allende lost possession seven times and won two of seven duels. After the match, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent their frustrations, with one asking:

“Why is Allende on this team?”

Another tweeted:

“Allende gotta be better than this. im speechless.” “Any explanation why Mascherano keep playing Allende every damn game????? He contributes nothing to the team! He’s terrible,” another wrote. “Allende is going to be the reason Alba and Busquets retire from football early on the 8th 💔,” another chimed in. “Is Allende employed to always miss crucial chances?” a fan queried.

Summing up his insipid display, another compared Allende with former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, writing:

“Allende is Nunez in disguise.”

Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano questions referee decisions after 2-1 loss to Nashville

Javier Mascherano didn’t hide his frustrations with the officiating during their 2-1 loss to Nashville. The Argentine gaffer was particularly exasperated by the decision not to question VAR on the penalty conceded by their goalkeeper.

“I’d rather not comment on the refereeing,” Mascherano said. “I know how the system works, and I don’t want to give anyone an excuse to come after me. But I’m surprised they didn’t go to VAR - the tool is there, and I don’t understand why they didn’t use it.”

Inter Miami’s defeat to Nashville means both teams will play a Game 3 in their MLS playoff series for a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide