There was a beautiful – and rare – visit to the Claude-Robillard center on Wednesday evening. Former star player Ignacio Piatti has graced the lawn of the Impact’s former home with his velvet cleats.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
And rest assured, Montreal fans: Piatti has lost none of the French he learned during his six years in the Quebec metropolis.
“It’s like my home here,” commented a smiling Piatti, after a friendly clash between the club’s former players and members of the media.
There are a lot of emotions. It feels good to visit friends, to meet everyone. I felt good here all the time.
Ignacio Piatti
Speaking of friends: there was a certain Mauro Biello on the pitch. The same one who coached the good “Nacho” from 2015 to 2017. How was it to exchange the ball with the former star player, instead of giving him instructions?
“It was the same tactics as when I was a coach: give the ball to Nacho! “, he says, giggling.
It was good. I was happy to play with him, to see him on the pitch. […] Because he was a special player for this club.
Mauro Biello, former head coach of Piatti
Piatti played in Montreal from 2014 to 2020. He was one of the architects of the Impact’s success at that time, with 78 goals in 162 games. After the Montreal adventure, he joined his former club San Lorenzo in 2020, then Racing Club in 2021. After which he retired last winter.
The 37-year-old maintains the decision to return to Argentina in 2020 was “very difficult”.
“The family wanted to go back, and for my father there. Sometimes it’s hard to make the decision. […] Pero, I miss Montreal. »
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
Ignacio Piatti met media representatives after playing a friendly match alongside the club’s former players.
Still, Nacho has followed the team’s journey ever since. And this, even if the matches are not always broadcast in Argentina. He is “in contact with a lot of friends here”, he says. And on Saturday, he will be present at Saputo Stadium for the game against the New England Revolution.
Piatti is part of the Impact legend. But when the possibility of his name being inducted into the Saputo Stadium Wall of Fame one day is raised, he rejects the idea of promoting his candidacy himself.
“Oh! I don’t know. When I was here, I gave it my all. When I go out in the city, people who say “thank you, Nacho”, make me happy. »
President Gabriel Gervais, who had also put on his crampons on Wednesday, explains that he has “open communications” with Piatti.
“We always wanted to collaborate with former players,” he adds. If they can help us find other players, or play an ambassador role with us. […] Be our eyes in Argentina, why not? »
” I had chills ”
Let’s just say it: Wednesday evening’s event, free and open to the public, was very pleasant.
In addition to Piatti, Biello and Gervais, there were notably former Patrice Bernier, Wandrille Lefèvre, Patrick Leduc, Ali Gerba, Hassoun Camara, Eduardo Sebrango, Rocco Placentino and Grant Needham. Even the Brazilian Charles Gbeke had made the trip.
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PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
Patrick Leduc
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PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
Ali Gerba
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PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
Hassoun Camara
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On the side lines, the former coaches Valerio Gazzola and John Limniatis went there with falsely indignant little arrows which made the substitute players laugh. As well as other club personalities, such as owner Joey Saputo.
Current star players Kei Kamara and Djordje Mihailovic also made an appearance. The latter even verbalized the wish to take a photo with “the legend” Piatti after the final whistle.
For me, it is extremely important that the former players, who have given so much for the club, can come together.
Gabriel Gervais, president of CF Montreal and former Impact
“I had shivers when I arrived at the Claude-Robillard center, admits the president. I last played here in 2007. It was very special. »
Fans are back in large numbers at Stade Saputo. The club multiplies the events that make it accessible to its community. Is Wednesday’s event part of this tangent?
“It’s one of the things we can do,” agrees Gervais, who adds that he has “plenty of ideas, especially for the 30e birthday next year.
“Our players are motivated. Did you see how many elders came? They love to do that. »
Biello adds.
“It’s extremely important because these are players who have lived, who have helped this club. They are the ones who formed the foundation. […] It gives this richness to the club and its history. »
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
Gabriel Gervais, president of CF Montreal and former Impact
“Warriors on the Road”
What does Gabriel Gervais remember from the great season that CF Montreal is in the process of accomplishing? His “resilience”.
“They are warriors on the road,” he rejoices. The team never gives up. It’s a very tightly knit team. »
The president had made the trip to New York in April, a few days after his appointment, when the CFM faced the Red Bulls.
“We were losing 1-0, and in the past, the team on the road was falling apart. Now I saw a team that came back. We won the match 2-1. I saw the team celebrating in the locker room. »
And then he notes the good work of Wilfried Nancy and his staff.
“I see the choice of the coach and his staff. They make changes in the second half that create sparks. […] Everyone seems happy, at least from what I see in training, during the match or at the training center during lunch. »
However, the president does not want to interfere in the discussion surrounding the extension of Wilfried Nancy’s contract.
“He is doing very, very well. We are extremely happy with him. We will have discussions in due time. »