(Montreal) Thierry Henry has already mentioned in an interview that “time is something we don’t have”. The head coach of CF Montreal, Laurent Courtois, intends to have it in his pocket to properly evaluate his players.
After almost two weeks of camp in Tucson, Arizona, the Bleu-blanc-noir will end its journey in the southern United States by playing a first preparatory match on Saturday against Minnesota United FC.
This first confrontation will allow us to see where the Montreal team is in its learning process, but Courtois wanted to remind his men that it was a long-term job.
“We have already asked so much of them in terms of habits or tactics. I reminded them to be patient with themselves. (Saturday), it’s a match during which we gauge where we are, but there is fatigue too. We have experimented a lot. I want them to be forgiving, while having an ambitious and improving dynamic,” expressed the head coach.
Having only arrived at the helm of the team for a few weeks, Courtois must also take the time to get to know his players. He and his coaching staff have focused on ball releases and positioning, but they want players to experiment a little on the field in order to provide them with accurate feedback.
The 45-year-old Frenchman said he was impressed to see that some of his concepts had already been well understood by his team. He believes his players have all the capabilities to be successful this season.
“I was impressed to see that they were ahead of the curve on some concepts and some of our experiments together. The defensive aspect and individual attitude can be even better. When we’re on the same page, these guys have all the tools to be a complete team. We will be young and we will play risky soccer, but who cares, they have all the tools to be competitive,” he stressed.
Courtois arrived in Montreal with a blank slate and he already seems to have certain plans for a few players. One of them could be forward Kwadwo Opoku, who will be in his second season with the team.
Opoku scored four goals in 12 MLS games with CF Montreal in 2023, and he showed off his speed, skill and finishing. The 22-year-old Ghanaian likes what he sees from his new head coach so far and he is ready to play anywhere to help him.
“Laurent is an extraordinary person and coach. We are ready to learn from him and it is very good to work with him. It’s fantastic to see the way we are going to play, insisted Opoku. He helps me a lot in attack and defense and I can see that there is improvement. I will play wherever he wants me to play. »
Courtois was also keen to highlight the professionalism of midfielder Victor Wanyama, who had seen his relationship with former head coach Hernan Losada deteriorate at the end of the season.
“I was impressed by Victor’s professionalism and humility. He was managed by (Mauricio) Pochettino and (José) Mourinho, but he is so generous and kind to me that sometimes it makes me uncomfortable. I wouldn’t have been like that at his age if Pochettino and Mourinho had managed me. It’s a great lesson in humility that he gives me,” said Courtois.
A few days before returning to Montreal, midfielder Lassi Lappalainen, defender Robert Thorkelsson and striker Sunusi Ibrahim recently joined the group. Only defender Raheem Edwards is still absent.
Lappalainen underwent surgery in November to repair a sports hernia while Thorkelsson has not played since June 24 due to an adductor injury. Despite their health, Courtois ensures that both players can stay with their teammates to learn the tactical scheme and new concepts.
Robert and Lassi work here and we try to involve them as much as possible. Even though they are not at the same physical level, we believe they can learn notions and concepts. Sunusi is also with us and he is getting back up to speed. It’s going to take time, but as long as you’re part of the life of the group, it’s important,” Courtois said.