Miami could be without two of their best defensive midfielders for their MLS playoff game 3 match vs. Atlanta
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Bright is set to be out for Game 3Busquets listed as questionable after initial uncertaintyMiami could be eliminated from playoffs with loss SaturdayGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
Inter Miami will be missing one significant part of their starting XI in Game 3 Saturday while another is questionable to return to action.
Manager Tata Martino said defensive midfielder Yannick Bright will miss Saturday's win-or-go home match against Atlanta United with an injury, with the expectation of a return in the semifinals if Miami advances. Joining Bright could be designated player Sergio Busquets, who is dealing with an undisclosed ailment. After Martino initially alluded to Busquets being out, the club issued a statement to reporters saying Busquets was medically cleared to play and would be listed as questionable.
Busquets was ruled out of Game 2 due to an illness and according to several outlets, didn't practice this week.
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Martino told reporters "[Yannick], I understand that if we advance he is available. [Busquets] depends on other issues because it is not a muscular issue that can be predicted regarding the amount of time."
USA Today ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With Bright being unavailable, all focus will be shifted to Busquets' status as the absence of both players would leave the vulnerable in midfield and on defense.
Miami has struggled on defense all season, and Busquets and Bright have been pivotal in plugging in gaps and stopping attacks in midfield due to breaking plays and reading the opposition. Bright's emergence in defensive midfield has allowed Martino to play Busquets as a ball-playing defender out of the back.
Federico Redondo was quick to point out Bright's impact.
"Yannick is an extraordinary player who essentially gives us a lot, he never gets tired of recovering balls, he gives us a lot of [presence in the] air, he is very organized," he said. "For me, having him on the side of the pitch is a player that makes you better."
Leonardo Campana agreed, saying "We are going to feel it and we hope he recovers as soon as possible."
With Bright out along with Ian Frey, Martino will have to get creative to solve these issues – if Busquets is unavailable to play or is limited on Saturday.
WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?
Inter Miami will fight to keep their season alive when they host Atlanta United Saturday night.