"I think it worked" - Atlanta United coach details tactics his team used to stop Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in MLS playoffs

Atlanta United assistant coach Carl Robinson opened up on the tactics his side employed to overcome Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs. The Welshman said his side worked on being 'in control' of the game when they weren't in possession, affording the Herons as little space as possible.

Atlanta finished the regular season in ninth place with just 10 wins in 34 games (40 points). They scraped into the playoffs, edging past CF Montreal in the play-in game 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 scoreline in normal time.

In their best-of-three first-round series against Miami, goals from Messi's ex-Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba condemned Atlanta to a 2-1 loss in Game 1. However, they showed incredible resilience, scoring a 94th-minute winner in Game 2 (2-1) and grabbing a 3-2 victory away from home in Game 3 to seal a famous series win.

Although Messi scored in the 65th minute in Game 3, he was kept in check by the Atlanta defense for most of the series. His only other goal contribution in the three games was the assist for Alba's winner in Game 1, a far cry from his incredible 20 goals and 10 assists in just 19 regular season games.

Detailing his side's gameplan in an interview with TalkSPORT, Robinson said (via Inter Miami News):

"The relationship that Messi has with Alba, Suarez and (Sergio) Busquets is crazy. Alba can be running down the left and Messi can be stood inside the centre circle and instead of crossing it he reserves it back into his feet."

"You have to be aware of every moment those four players are on the ball because the link-ups that they have with each other is incredible. You had to be in control of the game when you didn't have the ball and that was a big focus that we went into the game with, and fortunately I think it worked," Robinson added.

Atlanta United now take on Orlando City FC in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, with Game 1 set to take place on November 24.

Following MLS Playoffs defeat, Lionel Messi claimed that Inter Miami will 'come back stronger next year'

Following Inter Miami's elimination from the MLS Playoffs, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi claimed that his side will 'come back stronger next year'.

The 37-year-old powered the Herons to a record-breaking season in the 2024 campaign. Tata Martino's side accrued the highest points total in league history (74 in 34 games), scoring the second-most goals by any MLS team ever (79) along the way.

Despite their Supporters' Shield victory, Miami could not make it past the first round of the playoffs, falling to 2018 MLS Champions Atlanta United. After his side's elimination, Messi made a post on Instagram thanking the supporters and committing to the rebuild after the setback.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner wrote (via ESPN):

"A season ended in which we continued to grow as a club and, although we achieved some goals, we wanted more. Thanks to all the people who joined and supported us. Now let's get ready to come back stronger next year."