“I don’t think there’s any secret. I’m not going to defend it any differently. […] On the one hand, you want to do the job, but you don’t want to look crazy either! »
For Samuel Piette, who uttered these words during a long interview with The Press almost two weeks ago now, the Messi challenge that awaits CF Montreal this Saturday is obviously special.
But the captain knows he can’t stray too far from his usual playing patterns.
“I’m going to play my game like I normally play it,” he said. He is the greatest player of all time. I have a bit of that attitude with anyone. If I know that such a player is better than me, there is no harm in conceding the victory, as long as you give a good fight, you give everything, you try to minimize the stuff. At least you did what you had to do, and you tried. »
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Samuel Piette, captain of CF Montreal
He didn’t say that because he thought the match was lost in advance, far from it. It was mainly to point out that there is no problem in being beaten in a duel against Lionel Messi. Especially since in his current form, the Argentinian breaks everything in his path. He scored 1 goal and recorded 5 assists, a record… all in the same match last Saturday against the Red Bulls. In total, that’s 10 goals and 12 assists in 8 appearances this season in MLS.
In addition to Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets should also take to the pitch at the Saputo stadium. Inter Miami is on four consecutive victories, six games without defeat, and sits at the top of MLS. Gerardo Martino’s squad wants to continue to reap good results before many of its players, including La Pulga, leave the club to join their national teams for the Copa América in June. Jordi Alba will be sidelined, recovering from an injury.
“There are players against whom I want to do well,” continues Piette. I think about [Aidan] Morris in Columbus. He’s a good player […], but I would like to have the upper hand on him. »
“Against Messi, it’s weird, because you want to do well, but you don’t want to be the one to hurt him either! »
On Friday, on the eve of the match, Piette added that he has to “sometimes pinch himself” to believe what is about to happen. “He comes from another planet,” said the midfielder.
“It’s going to be a big task. He’s one of my idols. I grew up as a Barcelona fan. […] But on the other hand, I have my competitive side. [Ce samedi], I want to perform to the best of my abilities. For me, and for the club. »
“You deserve to live this moment”
Laurent Courtois, for his part, spoke of the “danger” and the “beauty” of playing in front of players who are so idolized.
PHOTO PETER MCCABE, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Laurent Courtois, head coach of CF Montreal
“You want to show that you can compete,” he said. You want to show that you are close to their level and that you deserve to be on the same field. »
He returns to his formula used almost every week when asked about the current opponent. “Control what you can control. But can you control Messi? I received two, three texts telling me to force him to play on his right foot! »
Which causes hilarity in the conference room of the Nutrilait Center. For the record, Messi has scored 451 goals with his left foot over the course of his career… against only 89 of the right foot.
“What can we manipulate around it to limit our field of action? Afterwards, I am not going to give an anti-Messi talk. I have way too much respect for the other players on the team. And there is much more priority to give to my players. »
Gabriel Gervais, whose shoulders seemed to relax when the question about Messi finally came after all the questions about the governance of CF Montreal, said he was “very, very excited” ahead of Saturday’s match.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Gabriel Gervais, president and CEO of CF Montréal
“You have to understand that our teams have been working so hard since the beginning of the year. »
He makes the list, including the athlete, but also the “administrative”, “sales”, “marketing”, “partnerships” people.
“You deserve to experience this moment,” he said to them, this week. Everyone, the whole city, we deserve to experience this great soccer moment. […] Our partners are very excited, the customers are ready to celebrate soccer. And what’s better than seeing our team deliver a great performance? »
The CF Montreal match against Inter Miami will be broadcast on RDS and Apple TV on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.