“We have fun, we work, we laugh. I couldn’t be happier than that,” said Laurent Courtois with enthusiasm. The new head coach of CF Montreal had barely settled into his chair for his virtual media availability live from Arizona on Friday.
From his first presentation to Montrealers on January 9, Courtois said he was an “old kid” in the process of realizing an “adult’s dream.” Ten days later, his enthusiasm is the same and we quickly understand that this pleasure is at the heart of his approach as a coach.
“If we manage to combine “having fun” and “leaving the heart on the pitch”, I think that soccer solutions will arrive much more easily, he added later. For now, the attitude of the players, their responses and their good humor, they are contagious. »
This is the atmosphere that reigns at CF Montreal, barely two days after its arrival in the southwest of the United States, where it is holding part of its training camp until January 24. Already, the head coach seems entirely satisfied with what he sees in his group of players.
“I was happy the first day because I saw a lot of smiles and a good atmosphere. The second day, we put two or three things in place. We wanted to challenge them a little bit. And actually, I was surprised. I found that they responded very well for a first. »
“I know the potential of the players and their desire to play. I didn’t think they were going to be so daring and brave from the first specific session of concepts we wanted to see. I really appreciated. It’s really very encouraging. What a pleasure. »
A few minutes later, Jonathan Sirois confirmed his coach’s words. According to the goalkeeper, the group had “a very nice reaction” to Courtois’ first instructions.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jonathan Sirois
I believe we are all in the positive. […] I think we also really take it as a great challenge, it’s a slightly different system from last year.
Jonathan Sirois
“It’s a kind of gaming system where, if you can master it, you can have a lot of fun. But it takes practice and, of course, you have to make mistakes in order to learn. »
A “great challenge”
During his first press conference, Laurent Courtois said of his goalkeepers that they should “do very ambitious things” and be “ready to respond”. Words which, when repeated to him, “excite” Jonathan Sirois.
“We’ve already worked on it a little in training. […] I really take it as a great challenge so that I can continue to develop as a player. »
From an individual perspective, Sirois has had an exceptional season in 2023. The 22-year-old goalkeeper established himself as the club’s starter following James Pantemis’ injury in the first match of the campaign. He posted 11 shutouts. His work earned him a three-season contract extension in August, with an option year in 2027.
If the Quebecer wants to be able to repeat these exploits, the club will have to be “very aggressive defensively,” he noted. “There were times last year when we had a little more difficulty at this level. I believe that if we can be very aggressive, very solid and very good at communication to help each other, things can go very well this year. »
Let us also remember that the CFM acquired Sebastian Breza by transfer in recent days. It’s a return to Montreal for the Quebecer, who played for the club in 2021 and 2022. On this subject, Sirois does not hide his joy.
“Seb!” he exclaims, smiling. He’s a good guy above all, so I’m happy to see him come with me again, with the team. […] We know him, he has a good character. Seeing a familiar face return besides Logan [Ketterer], which I already know, it’s sure it’s good. »
“I know we’re going to have a great year competitively. We’re going to push each other, then we’re going to give [à plein] for the club. »
Sweat
CF Montreal will play a first preparatory match against Minnesota United on Saturday, January 27. As the team has not had much preparation time, Courtois prefers not to put “too much pressure” on his players.
“We have to accustom bodies and minds to the type of effort that we are going to seek to develop together,” he explains.
After all, the first game of the season doesn’t take place until February 24. The team will also begin its schedule with six games away from home, which does not seem to bother the coach in the slightest.
“I am a child. By that I mean I saw the six moves and I said bring them on. I know it’s going to be difficult, we’re not going to lie to each other, but the human values and the chemistry that we can bring out of it too, that can perhaps be the basis, regardless of the results, of all the rest of the year. »
“I believe a lot in adaptation and adversity to immediately build answers. And the more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in matches. »