“We played well defensively and we were well organized but we had difficulties to counter-attack and create scoring chances,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “In the second half, we succeeded in creating problems for their defense.”
“It’s satisfying to see that we performed well in this first game of training camp,” said veteran defender Nevio Pizzolitto. “We responded well and our young players did the work that we asked them to do. Even if they had more ball possession we did great defensively due to our positioning on the field.”
“It’s always tough to face a team like that when your are at the beginning of your preparation but it’s encouraging to see the quality of our team,” noted midfielder Simon Gatti. “A 0-0 score is positive and we have to continue working.”
Three months prior to the beginning of the USL D1 regular season, De Santis also appreciated his team’s mental preparation for this exhibition game.
“We are currently in a country where soccer is a religion so our level of motivation was high,” added De Santis. “Without this motivation and without our concentration it would have been more difficult against this team, which was well prepared tactically.”
As expected, De Santis fielded two separate starting elevens which each played 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Matt Jordan started the game and played the first 45 minutes, while Andrew Weber played the second half.
The Impact will also face Frosinone (Serie B –second division), January 29, before ending its trip with a game against Viterbese (Serie C2 – fourth division), January 31.
FIRST HALF LINEUP
Matt Jordan (G), Adam Braz (D), Nevio Pizzolitto (D), Stefano Pesolo (D), Alex Surprenant (D), Bruno Maggi (M), Patrick Leduc (M), Leonardo Di Lorenzo (M), Mauro Biello (M), Roberto Brown (F) et Yuri Fazi (F)
SECOND HALF LINEUP
Andrew Weber (G), Hicham Aaboubou (D), Cédric Joqueviel (D), Luis Aguilar (D), Daniel DeGeer (D), Simon Gatti (M) David Testo (M), Cristian Nunez (M), Arsene Oka (M), Joey Gjertsen (F), Matthew Palleschi (F)
Also played as substitute : Sita-Taty Matondo (M), Olivier Babineau (M)
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
-30-
Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (Poste 27)
