The 10-day break has been well-deserved for the Montreal Impact, after playing seven games in just 22 days, but it has also been a welcome opportunity to see some progress among those players sidelined with injuries.
The latest to get back to full training is defender Alessandro Nesta and could be an option for Saturday’s game versus Philadelphia.
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There are no guarantees that ‘Sandro’ will be in the starting lineup, but his return to form could not have come at a better time. Fellow back liner Jeb Brovsky broke his nose in the game against Vancouver on May 15, and both he and Hassoun Camara could use some reinforcements as they’ve played almost every single minute of every single game over that three-week span.
The Impact has had a really good start to the season, winning six of its 10 first games, but Nesta’s importance is augmented when you realize that the team is undefeated in games that he’s started this season (4-0-1).
“Our guys have done a good job on defence with him out of the lineup, but if Nesta is healthy, for sure he has to play,” said Impact head coach Marco Schällibaum. “Just the wealth of experience he brings helps the team. His leadership and calm on the pitch rubs off on everybody.”
With the Canadian final next week bringing the number of games up to five in the next four weeks (Download the full schedule here), and the potential for more games if the team qualifies for CONCACAF Champions League, his timely return will reinforce the Impact’s backline.
