Lionel Messi is set to start as Inter Miami host Atlanta United, with interim coach Guillermo Hoyos still in charge while Kily Gonzalez awaits his work permit. Lionel Messi will be in the starting lineup as Inter Miami host Atlanta United on Saturday at Nu Stadium, with interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos still in charge of the side while incoming coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez awaits the work permit needed to officially take the reins. The Argentine captain comes into the match in red-hot form, having scored four goals in Miami’s 7-1 rout of Montreal last time out, and there is no indication he will be eased out of the XI despite the ongoing coaching transition. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with Miami looking to build on its emphatic result over Montreal and Hoyos aiming to hand off a side in good form once Gonzalez is finally cleared to take over. Meanwhile, Atlanta will try to use Gerardo Martino’s insider knowledge of the Miami roster to slow down a Messi-led attack that has been in devastating form of late. Ready for another one at home. 🏠⚽️ #MIAvATL | @MarriottBonvoy pic.twitter.com/cEcYMQYanp— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 5, 2026 Inter Miami confirmed lineup Miami will line up in a 4-3-3. Hoyos will have to make do without Sergio Reguilon, Gonzalo Lujan, Micael, Mateo Silvetti, Santiago Morales and Tadeo Allende, all ruled out through injury, leaving the club with six absences to account for heading into kickoff. Inter Miami confirmed starting XI: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcon, Fricio Caicedo; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame, Luis Suarez. Atlanta United confirmed lineup Atlanta United will set up in a 4-2-3-1 for what marks the official MLS debut of Breel Embolo, who joins the starting lineup for the first time since completing his $18 million move from Stade Rennais, one of the biggest transfers in league history. Atlanta United confirmed starting XI: Lucas Hoyos; Tomas Jacob, Paulo Diaz, Junior Alonso, Elias Baez; Cooper Sanchez, Will Reilly; Aleksei Miranchuk, Tristan Muyumba, Miguel Almiron; Breel Embolo.
Aston Villa arrived at MKM Stadium still searching for their first shot on target, goal and point of the season - against a defence who were yet to concede this season. Nicolas Jackson's movement caused problems for the Hull backline and Villa created enough openings while generating an expected goals (xG) of 1.74, compared to Hull's xG of 0.58. The striker's departure to Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in the final week of the transfer window was always going to leave a void and Villa continue to search for a new identity after the arrival of a host of new names.
Stephen Warnock feels that goalkeeper Zion Suzuki is an upgrade for Aston Villa in terms of his footwork over Emi Martinez. The post ‘Better With His Feet’ – Aston Villa Star Earns Favourable Comparison From Ex-Villa Man appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
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