A bad start to the match. A wake-up call in the second half. Montreal’s recipe this time gave it a most disappointing result. CF Montreal lost 1-0 to its eternal rival Toronto FC, at home, at Saputo Stadium.
Yet, it wasn’t intensity that was lacking from Montreal, against a Toronto FC that had lost seven of its last eight games. The tackles were felt, successful, even during its lulls. It was rather the execution that was lacking, with numerous technical wastes and too few offensive breakthroughs.
Until late in the second half, Montreal didn’t have a single shot on target. Meanwhile, Toronto had to defend its 1-0 lead acquired in the 38the minute.
Courtois’ changes had a definite effect, including the entry of Nathan Saliba for Joaquin Sosa. As was the case last Wednesday in New Jersey, Montreal dominated the end of the match. But this time, they did not have an equalizer at the end of the feet.
Bernardeschi, the villain
It was a great occasion, both sportingly and emotionally. The two teams were neck and neck in the standings with 27 points heading into this Canadian derby, in the last two spots that would give access to the playoffs. And a sold-out Saputo Stadium rose to the occasion.
Already, Mother Nature seemed to realize the magnitude of the evening by offering a rainbow above the stadium, a few minutes before the first whistle after a downpour of almost an hour. The supporters of the IMFC Collective had prepared a gigantic banner, which they displayed above their section 132. And the stadium was ready to explode from the start.
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Federico Bernardeschi tries to get rid of Raheem Edwards
And it almost happened in the 13th.e minute, when Josef Martínez had a golden opportunity to open the scoring. Alone in front of goalkeeper Sean Johnson after a nice pass from Joaquín Sosa, the Venezuelan shot wide of the target.
Otherwise, the locals were unable to make their mark in the game in the first half. And Federico Bernardeschi, a good Targaryen-looking villain with his blond hair, enjoyed making himself hated by both the players and the Montreal fans. It was also the breakthrough of the Italian designated player, on the right, that allowed Richie Laryea to make it 1-0 in the 38th minutee minute, after a pass from Lorenzo Insigne in the area.
TFC therefore takes the three points of this Classic, and temporarily removes Montreal from the playoff picture.