The Impact remains unbeaten after four preseason games in Italy, with a record of two wins and two ties. Forward Léo Bessong Libiih, who is trying out with the club, scored twice at the 36th and 42nd minute, assisted on both occasions by team captain Mauro Biello. Forward Roberto Brown registered the third goal for the Impact at the 62nd minute, while the fourth one was an own goal.
After a sequence of passes following a short corner kick, Bessong Libiih opened the score by completing the play in the box by deflecting a low centering pass from Mauro Biello.
Midfielder Félix Brillant beat two defenders near the goal line, before making a low centering pass in the 18-yard box for Biello, who immediately gave it to Bessong Libiih, who netted the ball in the upper corner, to the left of the goalkeeper.
Roberto Brown scored the insurance goal by deflecting with a header a center from Félix Brillant on the right flank.
“It’s a good result today because it’s always great to win,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “This team plays at a lower level but we still need to perform well, regardless of the opponent we are facing. We demonstrated positive things offensively, although we could have done even more.”
Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic signed the shutout.
Patrick Leduc and Simon Gatti played their first game in Italy. Leduc, who played 42 minutes as central defender, had not played since August 27 against Real Estelí in Montreal, following a foot injury, while Gatti suffered a thigh injury during the first preseason game, January 17, against the Trois-Rivières Attak.
The Impact will play its fifth and last preseason game in Italy, Thursday, against fourth division club AC Prato (Serie C2), at 3 pm (9 am, Eastern Time).
IMPACT LINEUP
G-Srdjan Djekanovic, D-Stephen deRoux, D-Alex Suprenant, D-Patrick Leduc (Simon Gatti 42nd), D-Mike Vitulano, M-Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, M-Mauro Biello (Joey Gjertsen, 52nd), M-Tony Donatelli, M-Félix Brillant, F-Laurent Merlin F-Léo Bessong Libiih (Roberto Bown, 55th)
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-653-0539 (in Italy)
