MONTREAL – CF Montreal’s start to the season hasn’t been smooth sailing, but the team seems to be putting its elements in place little by little.
The Montrealers had to sharpen their mental toughness to pull themselves out of a difficult two months in which they faced numerous injuries, embarrassing losses and two long scoreless streaks. However, they have just had a rare positive week thanks to two gains in four days.
The 2-0 triumph over the Vaughan Azzurri in the first round of the Canadian Championship certainly should not have surprised many fans, but the 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls showed encouraging signs.
In attack, CF Montreal (2-6-0) was more decisive in the last third, it showed better cohesion and it showed more creativity. And when the Red Bulls wanted to threaten 11 against 10 for 25 minutes, the Montreal defense was very tight.
The work and intensity that has always been there in training now seems to materialize into positive results.
“With the players and staff we have, we’re starting to find our team style and the way we have to play to be successful,” defender Aaron Herrera said Tuesday after practice at Center Nutrilait.
“It’s hard when you don’t win, but everyone did well mentally during these challenges. You have to create your chance in this sport and that happens when you work hard and put in the extra effort. That’s what you saw against the Red Bulls. »
And since good news does not come alone, the majority of injured players gradually return to training, whether with their teammates or on their own.
Among the first players to arrive in training, midfielder Samuel Piette (adductors) and striker Romell Quioto (right leg) completed a few solo laps. For his part, Quebec striker Jules-Anthony Vilsaint (right leg) worked with the ball in the company of an assistant coach.
Goalkeeper James Pantemis (shoulder) and striker Jojea Kwizera (hamstring) trained with their teammates and took part in an 11-on-11 drill.
The most notorious return, however, was that of midfielder Matko Miljevic, who underwent successful surgery on his left knee in mid-February. It was possible that he missed three months of activities.
Tipped to replace Djordje Mihailovic as attacking midfielder, the Argentinian has not played any matches this season after a promising camp.
“I’m not surprised that Matko came back so quickly. It’s a machine. We still have to wait a bit before reinserting him in training because he hasn’t played since the preparatory calendar. He practiced with the regulars today and he showed that he was in good shape,” said assistant coach Eduardo Sebrango.
During Miljevic’s absence, CF Montreal vice-president and chief athletic officer Olivier Renard acquired young midfielder Bryce Duke and forward Ari Lassiter.
Duke, who has already made a very good impression in three games with the Bleu-blanc-noir, shows a style similar to that of Miljevic. Sebrango believes that the two players will be able to combine their efforts in order to allow the attackers to obtain more chances to score.
“Matko and Bryce are able to dribble the ball and pass it to teammates,” he noted. I believe that the two players together will show great things to the fans and to the attackers as well. Now it will be up to the attackers to make calls. Bryce was impressive with his ball touches. His intention is to play vertically and find attackers. »
The eventual return to play of several of these injuries will give head coach Hernan Losada even more ammunition to properly implement his system. He will also have a whole puzzle in front of him to scatter the minutes to all these players.
According to midfielder Victor Wanyama, this kind of situation can raise the level of the team’s game.
“When you have depth in your team, everyone wants to start and wants to play. It brings back the spirit of competition internally. It brings out the best in us and forces us to perform at our best,” he said.
Besides striker Mason Toye (knee), who is out with a long-term injury, midfielder Lassi Lappalainen hasn’t trained on the pitch due to a left leg injury.
2023-04-25 22:12:32
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