Inter Miami head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino acknowledged the challenges that Liga MX teams have faced in the 2023 Leagues Cup, and hopes that it will be a better experience all round for the next edition of the competition.
It's no secret that MLS teams have had an advantage over their Liga MX counterparts in Leagues Cup. While MLS clubs have enjoyed playing at their home grounds, the Mexican sides have played away from home throughout the entire tournament.
Martino agrees with the idea that MLS sides should travel like the Liga MX teams in order for for the competition
"I think it's fair to play a tournament where the US teams can be home and away and can travel like the Mexican teams have traveled," Martino said. "I cannot ignore some complaints that have to do with logistics, especially from the Mexican teams, which are the teams that spent the longest time in the United States going from one place to another."
Although it will be an all-MLS final between Nashville SC and Miami, Monterrey were one game away from the final before falling to the Boys in Gold.
"Yes, it is a greater wear on the teams that have had to travel, and in the case of Monterrey, which advanced to the semifinals, it is the one that has clearly traveled the most, the one that has come to suffer logistics, change of departure times of charters, training places, going from one place to another in the country," he said.
The former Mexico national team boss explained how he thought of the situation from not only Miami's perspective, but Liga MX's as well.
"Perhaps we [Miami] do not suffer this type of situation, but we had to review the logistics, the trips, training places, charter departure times, so that somehow the rules can be even. I think they are, I insist, this was signed and accepted in this way, but it seems fair to me that all the teams go through all the situations."
Miami and Nashville face off on August 20 in the 2023 Leagues Cup final, with Lionel Messi and Hany Mukhtar leading the way for their respective teams.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Gerardo Martino calls for fairness in future editions of Leagues Cup.
