Messi 'a never-ending conundrum' for Nashville vs. Inter Miami in Concacaf Champions Cup

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — No coach in Major League Soccer has faced Lionel Messi more than Nashville SC’s Gary Smith.

Any sleepless nights, coach?

“Always,” Smith said with a laugh Tuesday. “Always.”

Messi returned to Inter Miami practice and is expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday’s 8 p.m. ET match against Nashville SC, the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 matchup.

“The players are fine, so we have all the players ready,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said.

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The score of the two-game series is 2-2 after the first leg Thursday, with Inter Miami having a slight edge thanks to goals scored on the road. But Nashville remains encouraged.

This will be the fourth time Nashville faces Messi — who Smith said is “the best player that’s walked the planet” — since he joined Inter Miami and MLS last summer.

They’ve played to three draws, with the first settled after penalty kicks (10-9) with Messi and Inter Miami hoisting the Leagues Cup tournament trophy after their first matchup on Aug. 19, 2023.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC live stream

The Inter Miami vs. Nashville match kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on FS2 in English and TUDN in Spanish.

WATCH: Messi and Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Fubo

TICKETS: See Messi and Inter Miami in person vs. Nashville SC

SHOP: Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami gear from the MLS Store

Nashville remains hopeful against Messi, Inter Miami

Nashville hopes this time will be much different.

“We’re here to score goals, and we’re here to win,” said Nashville’s Luka MacNaughton, whose Instagram has felt the wrath of Messi fans in the last week after his foot landed on Messi’s, causing a shin injury.

“In the previous games against Miami, we’ve shown that we can do that. And we’ve played them enough now that there’s no fear. We’re here to win, and we’re here to advance. That’s what we’re here to do, and we’ll score some goals — that’s for sure.”

Inter Miami, however, knows what to expect.

“The game is going to be balanced, with two very intense teams each trying to cause damage in their way," Martino said. "We have an advantage with two goals as a visitor, but we’re going to go forward and be aggressive. It’s not going to be different from any other game that we play.”

Can Nashville slow down Messi, Inter Miami?

Messi and Luis Suarez scored goals for Inter Miami in the last match, while Nashville’s Jacob Shaffelburg scored in the opening minutes of each half.

A Nashville goal that came off the board, and could have given Nashville a 3-1 lead, remains a contentious point for Smith, who called it “the goal that wasn’t and should’ve been.”

Messi also scored a goal during Inter Miami's Leagues Cup win last year, while both teams played to a scoreless draw the second time they played, last August.

Smith called defending Messi a “never-ending conundrum.”

“You try to set up a group to try and limit what he’s able to do. He’s proved throughout his career, at the very best levels,” Smith said. “No matter how good you are defensively or how organized you are, the caliber of the individual will always find a way.”

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What result does Inter Miami need to advance in Champions Cup?

Inter Miami needs an outright win, or a 0-0 draw or 1-1 draw to advance.

What does Nashville need to advance in Champions Cup?

Nashville needs an outright win, or a draw with the score of at least three goals to advance.

What if Inter Miami and Nashville need a tiebreaker in Champions Cup?

If the aggregate score, or the results of both matches added together remains tied, away goals will work as the first tiebreaker.

If Inter Miami and Nashville play to another 2-2 draw Wednesday, they will play extra time. If the score remains tied, it will be decided by penalty kicks.

What's next for the Inter Miami vs. Nashville winner?

The Inter Miami-Nashville winner will face either LIGA MX side C.F. Monterrey or MLS side FC Cincinnati, the 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners. Monterrey beat Cincinnati in the first leg 1-0, and hosts the second leg in Mexico on Thursday night.

What is Messi and Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?

Messi will likely play his final match of the month with Inter Miami on Saturday, before joining Argentina for two Copa America warmups later this month.

March 16: Inter Miami visits D.C. United

March 22: Argentina vs. El Salvador in Philadelphia

March 26: Argentina vs. Costa Rica in Los Angeles

Messi could miss two Inter Miami games: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls on March 23, and Inter Miami vs. New York City FC on March 30 for rest purposes.

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