**Inter Miami CF**’s 3-1 win over **Orlando City SC** on Wednesday night saw Josef Martínez score the second of the three goals scored by the Lionel Messi-led side. With the team’s spot in the Leagues Cup 2023 Round of 16 now secured, the forward spoke about the new-look team in the wake of the result.
The Venezuelan has faced Orlando City twelve times in his MLS career, and has found the net nine times against them. Martínez has made the Lions his favourite prey, having scored more goals against them than any other team - and last night was no exception. The forward was the one responsible for winning and then converting the spot-kick that put his team ahead at a crucial moment in the game.
In a post-match pitchside interview, Martínez explained what happened in the lead-up to the penalty: “He [Messi] was actually supposed to be taking the penalty, but he left it to me. Obviously I had offered it to him. The most important thing is that we put in a great performance, and I hope people are happy with the win.”
He also spoke about the impact that the new arrivals in Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba have made: “With the kind of players we have, we can only play well. The team is doing a lot better, we’ve had three wins and we need to carry on in that vein”.
Martínez also explained that there were a lot of discussions during training, and that the team was focusing on improving its transitional play. “It comes easily, so you try to combine with them. Their arrival changes everything, we saw that today. It was a tough match-up and they made the difference. We have to work as a team, but they make a big difference”.
Having beaten **Mazatlán FC** 2-1, **FC Dallas** will be Inter Miami’s next opponents. “It’s very hot over there”, joked Martínez. It’ll be the first time that Leo plays an away match with his new team. Will he keep his winning streak going in Texas?
