Touchline Talk
Inter Miami topped the Chicago Fire FC 3-2 in a thrilling match at DRV PNK Stadium the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 18. Midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro scored his first goal of the season in stoppage time to clinch the win for the team and extend its winning streak at home to three.
“Honestly I’m so happy because of the win and the goal. I think we deserved to win this match,” said Pizarro.
Pizarro also touched on his perceived uptick in the level of his play, and how his confidence has grown over recent weeks.
“I’m feeling very confident, I’m enjoying playing again. I’m happy and I think that’s the foundation for any player,” expressed Pizarro. “I had a month or two where I was lacking in confidence, not believing in myself. I feel I’ve worked really hard on that over the last three weeks, in believing in myself again, knowing who I am and I think that’s the most important thing.”
Head coach Phil Neville praised Pizarro’s performance after entering the match in the second half, highlighting his influence as a key in earning the result the team wanted.
“I’ve got to say Rodolfo changed the game for us, in and out of possession, and [with] his work rate in possession...Rodolfo won us the game,” emphasized Neville.
“The boy has suffered more than probably any other player in this football club in terms of not scoring, not assisting, probably not being totally one hundred percent happy with his form, his fitness, or myself or whatever. But the team believed in him and I believed in him. I’ve never wavered in my belief for that boy...His finish was world class.”
To close, Pizarro showed his delight with the way the team has been working and improving its performances, and expressed his confidence that the team will achieve the objectives it has set for this season.”
“I think the past couple weeks we’ve believed in ourselves. We’ve worked well as a team, we’ve been unified, we’ve been committed. I think each of us trusts that we will qualify for the playoffs. None of us doubt that, we know that we’ll be there and that we’ll go into it strong,” he concluded.
