The greyness definitely does not want to leave the sky of CF Montreal at the start of the season.
Posted at 3:08 p.m.
Updated at 4:39 p.m.
Wilfried Nancy’s men lost 4-1 to New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon. A third defeat in three games in MLS. A fifth in six games this season, if we include the Champions League.
What’s wrong with Montrealers this winter?
Is it the difficulty of applying Wilfried Nancy’s game plan, which aims to build the game from the back? The goals conceded on costly turnovers in his own area are, in this sense, particularly numerous for the past six games.
Or is it simply fatigue due to a busy schedule? It was a 5and game in 18 days for visitors to New York. The club arrived in the Big Apple late Thursday evening after a difficult journey from Mexico, where they played at altitude against Cruz Azul.
The answer ? Maybe a little of both.
In terms of the messy and costly construction phases of the game, “the guidelines are clear”, according to the coach. However, he is sorry to concede “avoidable goals”.
On NYCFC’s first net, scored by Alex Callens on the volley in the 7thand minute, the release of Kamal Miller “is not clear”, described Nancy in videoconference. “He tries to make a pass, and he misses it a bit. »
But “it’s not because he tried to play from behind,” he adds.
The second goal for the locals was scored by Santi Rodríguez in the 20and minute, after a serious turnaround from Victor Wanyama just in front of his surface… as we tried to bring the ball up from the back.
Here, the Montreal technician admits that it is “an error that we must largely avoid”.
“In his decision-making, it was not the right thing to do. »
The forward position of Sebastian Breza, who couldn’t do anything on Rodríguez’s lob, didn’t help either.
Defender Alistair Johnston, a young veteran if there ever was one, believes that to correct the problem of the goals given away, we must “not do anything stupid”.
“We conceded too many easy goals,” he explains. Guys need to feel when they need to build fast, and other times play smart. It’s happened to us a few too many times this season, unfortunately. »
A little light in the dark
Returning from the break, Wilfried Nancy reshuffled his cards brilliantly. He brought in Djordje Mihailovic, Zachary Brault-Guillard and Robert Thorkelsson to replace Rida Zouhir, Alistair Johnston and Lassi Lappalainen.
This personnel movement temporarily – but completely – changed the look of the match. CF Montreal dominated the commitments. NYCFC was congested in its area.
“I have been thinking about this training for a long time with the staff, revealed Nancy after the meeting. I couldn’t put it on at the start because we had to rotate with the sequence of matches. There were some interesting things about the second half. We felt that we played in tempo, in fluidity. »
Mihailovic, in particular, was luminous. His playing was precise and full of will. At the 52and, it was his superb run down the left lane that led to the CF Montreal goal. The American crossed for Brault-Guillard, who scored at the mouth of the net.
But the Montreal smiles quickly gave way to lowered shoulders.
Because the task was daunting in New York. In addition to the fatigue of a busy schedule, CF Montreal faced the reigning MLS champions, who were also involved in the Champions League. It was also to contain the winner of the Golden Boot in 2021, Valentin Castellanos. The Argentine scored 19 goals last season.
PHOTO EDUARDO MUNOZ AVAREZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Valentin Castellanos in front of Kamal Miller (3)
But it was rather the Brazilian Talles Magno who was acting up against Montreal.
He completely extinguished Montreal’s hopes by restoring a 2-goal lead to his team in the 64thand minute. Andres Jasson’s wide cross was headed in by the Brazilian in the box, who sped in for the 3-1. This goal was in addition to his decisive pass acquired on the first goal of the game.
MLS’s third-best attack in 2021 was 83and and made it 4-1, courtesy of Thiago Andrade.
No, really, this is not the start of the season desired by CF Montreal.
“We do all the right things in training, but it just doesn’t click right now,” said Alistair Johnston. The schedule isn’t easy, but that’s no excuse. We want points and move forward with our season. »
“We played difficult matches in difficult places, continues the 23-year-old defender. The concern, sometimes, is to have a group of which some players waver. From the moment everyone is invested in the project, focused and moving in the same direction, we will be correct. There’s enough talent and chemistry on this team to make the playoffs.
“We have to put this result behind us and learn from it. »
The knowledge of CF Montreal will quickly be put to the test. He will have to recover in time for his return match against Cruz Azul at the Olympic Stadium next Wednesday.