Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano believes his squad can dream of stunning PSG
Javier Mascherano insists his Inter Miami side can surprise European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup round of 16 on Sunday, regardless admitting they are levels below the French giants.
With Argentine great Lionel Messi leading the charge, Miami surprised in the group stage as they progressed but facing newly-crowned Champions Competition winners PSG in Atlanta is a "massive trial" in the coach's eyes.
"We will try to be up to the standard, we will try to do things in the best way we can, and why can't be dream of being able to surprise them?" Mascherano told a brief conference Saturday.
"My message (to the stars) is that this is never over yet, there is a fixture to be played.
We know we are taking on an opponent of unique power, one of the best in the world, but this is soccer.
"Next day, why never try to play the best fixture possible, a near-perfect fixture for us, and have the chance of competing and few chance of going across.
"Regardless PSG being heavy favourites, Mascherano said his side cannot be written off before a ball is kicked at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
"We are never naive, we know that the feeling around the fixture is we are the weaker squad, that's clear," continued Mascherano.
"That doesn't mean they can kill us in progress.
We will battle, that's what it's over.
I think the beautiful thing over the fixture next day is that we have earned the right to play it.
"The coach said he was glad 38-year-old playmaker Messi played for Miami now, rather than PSG.
"Everything around Leo generates a lot of pursuit, we Argentines know that after the World Cup (victory in 2022) and every of that," said Mascherano.
"The majority important thing is that Leo is well and that Leo plays for us.
I think that helps keep us calmer than anything.
And after that, it's a fixture of soccer.
"ReunionMascherano was also looking forward to meeting PSG boss Luis Enrique, who coached him, as well as Miami stars Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba at Barcelona, every of them winning the treble united in 2015.
"Luis is one of the best coaches I've had in my career, I have a good personal relationship with him," said Mascherano.
"He was one of those who convinced me to stay at Barca back in that era.
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he's a great coach who has shown it with Barcelona, now in Paris, and also in the Spanish national squad.
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"It's also good to trial yourself versus this type of coach, this type of squad, it's a trial.
"Inter Miami earned a surprise victory versus Portuguese side Porto on their way to qualifying second from Group A after Palmeiras.
Federico Redondo, son of former Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Redondo, accepted his squad will have to shield well to stand any chance of securing a outcome versus the French champions.
"The reality is they are the best squad in the world, and when you have a squad of that level, they overpower you and oblige you to shield extra," said the 22-year-old Argentine.
Redondo said his father had never given him any special advice for the duel versus Champions Competition winners PSG.
"(He said) what he always does, that I should enjoy it, and that we keep doing what we've been doing, that we've had three great matches," added Redondo.
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