Zakaria Diallo and Harry Novillo score Montreal’s goals
BRADENTON, Florida –The Montreal Impact finished the first part of its training camp with a 2-0 victory over Nashville SC, Wednesday at IMG Academy. Centre back Zakaria Diallo and forward Harry Novillo both scored in the second half.
“There is a lot to take out of these 90 minutes of play,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “It’s always better to be able to continue working while earning wins as well. We were able to showcase what we have been practising on the training pitch, individually and collectively.”
Midfield battle in first half
In this 17th day of training camp, the players did not hold back in a rough first half, during which Nashville was especially physical in midfield. The Impact got a few opportunities, notably in the 23rd minute, when Diallo won his aerial duel on a corner, but ultimately couldn’t direct his header on target. A few minutes later, Evan Bush was called upon and dove to his left to save a curling effort from inside the box. At the end of the half, Saphir Taïder launched a dangerous free-kick towards goal, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Openings after the break
Garde brought on 10 new players after half-time, replacing everyone on the pitch except for Diallo. The Impact’s attacking aplomb was definitely more present, notably on the right, where Bacary Sagna and Novillo were dangerous. In the 57th minute, the latter dribbled past his marker and launched a counter-attack that ended with a Sagna cross which found an unmarked Shamit Shome at the far post, but his volley flew over the bar.
The Bleu-blanc-noir found the back of the net in the 71st minute. Diallo recovered the ball on the halfway line, beat his defender and ran into the heart of Nashville’s midfield without being opposed. He shot a low, powerful drive that beat the ‘keeper to his right.
Montreal doubled its lead in the 80th minute, when Ken Krolicki, on the right flank, sent a powerful cross for Novillo inside the box. He controlled it with his chest and shot the ball right away, beating the goalkeeper to his right once again.
“The group was tired, but we fought and finished the camp on a positive note,” said forward Harry Novillo. “Personally, I am very happy to score my first goal. It’s always better to score it early. It’s good for confidence. We’ll keep working and it looks good for what’s to come.”
Upcoming for the Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact will be back in Montreal as of this Thursday to kick off its 2019 season in the presence of its Members and supporters on Friday night, taking advantage of the occasion to unveil its new primary jersey as well.
The Bleu-blanc-noir will then head back to Florida for the second portion of its training camp, this time based in St. Petersburg. At Al Lang Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Impact will face the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, February 16 at 4pm, the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday, February 20 at 7pm, and D.C. United on Saturday, February 23 at 7pm.
The team will then kick off its regular season against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 2, at 10pm EST at Avaya Stadium. The Impact will open its season at home, at Stade Saputo, on Saturday, April 13, at 1pm against the Columbus Crew SC.
LINE-UPS
MTL – G-Evan Bush (James Pantemis 46’); D-Émile Legault^ (Clément Bayiha 46’), Jukka Raitala (Rudy Camacho 46’), Zakaria Diallo, Zachary Brault-Guillard (Bacary Sagna 46’); M-Samuel Piette (Micheal Azira 46’), Saphir Taïder (Shamit Shome 46’), Amar Sejdic^ (Ken Krolicki 46’); F-Chris Wehan^ (Mathieu Choinière 46’), Maximiliano Urruti (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 46’), David Choinière^ (Harry Novillo 46’)
Unused subs – Clément Diop, Mikale Fontaine, Daniel Kinumbe, Jonathan Sirois
*Montreal Impact Academy player
^Player on trial
NSH – G-Matt Pickens (Sparrow 46’); D-Kosuke Kimura (Davis 46’), Ken Tribbett (Bourgeois 46’), Liam Doyle (Stewart 46’), Taylor Washington (King 46’); M-Michael Reed (Akinyode 46’), Vinnie Vermeer (Washington 62’), Lebo Moloto (LaGrassa 46’), F-Kharlton Belmar (Howell 46’), Alan Winn (Mensah 46’), Tucker Hume (Belmar 62’)
GOALS
71’ Diallo
80’ Novillo (Krolicki)
