Martino: No Way to Stop Messi Before Atlanta Match
Listen to the story
Inter Miami CF will host Atlanta United FC this Saturday in a match that has attracted a lot of attention because of Lionel Messi.
Atlanta's coach, Tata Martino, said there is no way to neutralize Messi during the game. Martino previously coached Inter Miami himself, so he knows the Argentine star's abilities well.
Martino's comments came as part of a match preview published before the game. Such previews usually include information about both teams and their key players.
One question fans are asking is whether the match has been delayed. Reports about the game's timing have caused some confusion among supporters.
Another major question is whether Messi will actually play in this match. Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has become the club's most important player and a huge draw for fans.
As the host team, Inter Miami will play the match at their own stadium. Playing at home is often seen as an advantage in football.
Martino's warning suggests that Atlanta's players will need a strong defensive plan, even though he admits that fully stopping Messi may not be possible.
Vocabulary7 words
- Messi
- a very famous football player from Argentina
- Martino
- the coach of Atlanta United
- neutralize
- to stop a player from being effective
- match preview
- a short report before a game happens
- delayed
- moved to a later time
- host
- the team playing at its own field
- stadium
- a large place where sports games happen
Quiz
Answer key
1. It is impossible to stop him completely 2. He used to coach Inter Miami 3. Inter Miami CF
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Inter Miami CF will host Atlanta United FC this Saturday in a match that has attracted a lot of _____ because of Lionel Messi.
Atlanta's coach, Tata Martino, said there is no way to _____ Messi during the game.
Martino previously _____ Inter Miami himself, so he knows the Argentine star's abilities well.
Martino's comments came as part of a match _____ published before the game.
One question fans are asking is whether the match has been _____.
Another major question is whether Messi will actually _____ in this match.
As the _____ team, Inter Miami will play the match at their own stadium.
Martino's warning suggests that Atlanta's players will need a strong defensive _____.
Discussion questions
- Do you think it is possible to completely stop one player in football?
- Why do coaches often talk about their opponents before a match?
- How does playing at home usually affect a team's performance?
- Why do you think Messi attracts so much media attention?