“Because we will play Thursday against Boavista FC, this matinee game will allow us to travel less and get more rest between games, compared to what we would have faced with an afternoon game in Vila do Conde,” explained Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos, following Montreal’s final training session in Melgaço on Tuesday morning. “It won’t be easy playing two matches in two days versus two excellent clubs, so we’ll have to carefully manage our personnel. The atmosphere is very good right now and the players are demonstrating a very professional attitude. That’s a good sign.”
Starting in the mid-90s, Celta de Vigo spent about a decade in the Spanish first division. It participated in the 1998, 1999 and 2000 UEFA Cup, was a finalist for the Spanish Cup in 2001 and qualified for the Champions League in 2002-2003. The club is currently in 18th place in the Spanish second division standings, with a record of 6-9-11.
“I’ve been following the Spanish league since a young age and my favourite club has always been Barcelona. When I was a child I pictured myself playing with another spanish club Celta de Vigo in order to one day play for Barcelona,” explained Patrick Leduc. “Celta de Vigo was stuck in my mind a long time. So it will be very special to play against that team tomorrow. Friendly matches against clubs like this never used to be possible, so it just goes to show how much progress the Impact has made over the last few years. These games really make a mark on all of the players.”
Montreal’s starting lineup will likely play in a 4-3-3 formation, with goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic, defenders Simon Gatti, Cédric Joqueviel, Hicham Aaboubou and Philippe Billy, midfielders Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Patrick Leduc and Tony Donatelli, as well as forwards Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, Reda Agourram and Rocco Placentino.
“We’ll be playing an excellent team, which is great for us,” noted Djekanovic, who will be playing his first exhibition game of the current training camp. “This is a good opportunity for me to prove to the coaches that I belong out there. Tomorrow is going to be a good challenge, especially because they’re in the heart of their season. I’m confident we’ll do well.”
Ahead of Tuesday morning’s training session, Marc Dos Santos invited Ricardo Silva, from the Alta Performance Desportiva centre, to provide a motivational presentation to the players.
“Ricardo’s message is very similar to our own, which helped to further reinforce what we’ve been telling our players since last season. The work we put in now will benefit any challenges that lie ahead,” explained Dos Santos.
Take note that 2010 season tickets are now on sale. Mini-season ticket packages are also available, with five games starting at 50$ or ten games starting at 100$. For more information, call 514-328-3668 or visit montrealimpact.com.
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Impact de Montréal
Info : 514-328-3668 (poste 227)
