Martino denies Alba transfer rumors amid injury
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Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo Martino confirmed Jordi Alba will miss the match against CF Montréal on Saturday at Saputo Stadium and also shut down transfer rumors amid injury concerns.
The Spaniard has been absent since the 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City on April 13, after exiting the field in the second half with concerns. The team later confirmed he suffered a right-leg injury, forcing him to the sidelines for over four weeks.
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"Jordi Alba is now training with normality, but we'll take another match to avoid any threats," Martino said.
Inter Miami continues to struggle with several injuries, seeing Facundo Farías, Ian Fray, Diego Gómez, Federico Redondo and Robbie Robinson all unavailable for different medical reasons.
Though the team lacks options on the bench, Martino maintained the coaching staff remains focused on the current roster and not on the upcoming transfer window or Ángel Di María rumors.
Even if Miami wanted to sign larger figures, the current Major League Soccer roster rules would obstruct the club from doing so.
"I'll echo everything I've said about Di María, I will repeat: there is no need for me to talk about the quality that Ángel has, but even though the transfer window opens in two months I am having trouble understanding the way Inter Miami could sign him," Martino said.
"I don't have much to say, it's not a question about sporting capabilities. There's no doubt there. But very specific situations need to happen for us to be able to sign him because Miami already has a roster that is compliant with the roles MLS requires. And we do not have any way to bring any other figure like Ángel or others until the rules change. For the time being, it will be difficult to bring on anyone.
"Reporters ask me [if I want] players like [Radamel] Falcao and Di María that are considered sacred, it's almost an insult that I have to give my approval to players that have made history," he said.
"They are players that don't require my talking about their capabilities as football players. The transfer window opens in two months, and right now we are focused on the tournament, the current roster and the players coming back from injuries. We are focused on getting points as the Copa América and Olympics approach. We are not focused on the reinforcements."
Inter Miami has a busy week ahead, playing Montreal on Saturday before traveling to Orlando on Wednesday for the Rivalry Week match and hosting D.C. United on May 18.
The game plan for the upcoming matches will be determined based on Saturday's result.
"We will see if we need to rotate after tomorrow's game against Montreal, how the players end the game. And then, we will determine who is in the best condition to play against Orlando on Wednesday," Martino said.
The Herons lead the Eastern Conference table with 24 points in 12 games and a record of 7-2-3 (W-L-D).
Source: espn.co.uk
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