Overall, CF Montreal players have very few memories of their confrontations against Atlanta United in recent years. The most recent, more than a month ago, was certainly in this category even though Wilfried Nancy’s staff collected points while standing on the opponent’s ground.
Thursday, after her troop’s training session at the Nutrilait Center, Nancy couldn’t avoid questions about this March 19 match at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.
CF Montreal unleashed a two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes of the game, even as they played 11 against 10, heading into a sorry 3-3 draw.
However, and contrary to what some observers might have expected, CF Montreal did not crash after this match. Quite the opposite.
After this duel and a two-week break that allowed them to both empty and refuel, the Montreal players won three consecutive games, including one on the New York Red Bulls field. , where they have had few successes in the past.
They then added a 1-1 draw in another awkward environment, Subaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
This Saturday afternoon at Saputo Stadium, CF Montreal (3-3-2) will have the chance to equal a team record achieved on three other occasions. He will then look for a sixth consecutive unbeaten game as he hosts Atlanta United.
When we looked back at the match (in Atlanta), I gave the players the floor to express themselves a little bit about it, to get how they felt. We had some discussions with some players, whether they were the leaders or the slightly younger players. We make a video and then try to put it into practiceNancy explained when asked how it became possible for team members to remove this game from their minds.
In fact, if we examine Nancy’s words, the strategy and attitude of CF Montreal’s color carriers hasn’t really changed from one outing to another in 2022.
In the half hour of that match, the players, I remember, have been in the same state of mind since the start of the season. And in the last game (against Philadelphia), they were in the same spirit as in the game against Atlantasaid Nancy.
What I mean by that, that’s how the players are today. They feel good and even if we concede a goal, they know we will keep goingchained the head coach.
Saturday afternoon, Nancy will find a rival against CF Montreal (2-5-3) who have won just two games in 10 attempts. Moreover, he will also see an opponent who will be hit by injuries.
Three players, including goalkeeper Brad Guzan and midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, will sit out this season following tears in the right Achilles tendon and right anterior cruciate ligament, respectively. Another goalkeeper, Dylan Castanheira, is in the same situation.
Center forward Josef Martinez underwent right knee arthroscopy in early April and is also expected to miss the match at Stade Saputo.
Nancy seems to have a good idea of the situation facing next rival CF Montreal, but Atlanta United shouldn’t be taken lightly.
We discussed this with the staff at the beginning of the week, saying: watch out for this match. They have great players, they have a clear game plan. They won’t change their way of playing because they have injuries.
Source: Radio-Canada
