“We put the game at risk in the early stages of the first half and the second half,” Martino said. “There were 10 or 15 minutes in each half that could have cost us the game. For about an hour we controlled the ball well and had chances, but we also could have been down 3-0 seven or eight minutes into the second half.”

Messi might need a break soon

Martino said Messi was tired after the match and required leg massages, and that is natural considering how hard he has been playing. Messi, 36, has played the full 90 minutes in all four games this season, three league and Thursday’s cup game.

He went down briefly after a kick to the calf, but returned to the field and finished the game.

With the deciding leg of the Champions Cup Round of 16 at home against Nashville next Wednesday it will be interesting to see if Messi takes a bit of a break on Sunday when Miami plays at home against Montreal in a league match.

Redondo held his own

Redondo was beaten in transition on a few occasions in his debut, but gave energy to the midfield alongside the older Busquets, gave Anibal Godoy trouble, and disrupted some of Nashville’s passing lanes.

“I think Fede played correctly, he was meticulous with the ball, gave us intensity in the middle of the field and helped us build from the back next to Sergio,” Martino said. “For it being his first game in such an important cup, he had a good start.”

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