“It will be another excellent test because Ribeirao does not have a match slated in its calendar this weekend and will probably play this friendly game as if it were a championship match,” noted Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “I believe that the coach from Riberao will prepare his squad very well. I’m expecting to face a very good opposition. »
In its first test in Portugal, Wednesday, the Montreal team earned a 5-1 win against second division club SC Freamunde.
“The last game answered a lot of questions, but this second game will also help us see our second system,” explained Dos Santos, who confirmed that he will start the match with a 4-3-3 formation. “In the last 25 minutes of the game against Freamunde, we finished in a 4-3-3 and the players answered well with very fast counterattacks. It will be important for them to answer back and to keep the identity on the field. We are going to play to win the game.”
The probable starting lineup should be: goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic, defenders Simon Gatti, Cédric Joqueviel, Hicham Aaboubou and Philippe Billy, midfielders Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Patrick Leduc and Tony Donatelli, and forwards Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, Reda Agourram and Rocco Placentino.
“We want to give the opportunity to certain players that were given less game time in the last match,” added Dos Santos. “However, the younger ones who will be starters must react well. If Ribeirao opens its game, we can be very dangerous, but if the game closes up, our young players will have to come up with solutions.”
“This gives us another chance to show how we can perform during games,” declared Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, who is in his second year with the squad and who scored a goal against Freamunde. “We must continue to give our 100% and to work in order to earn points with our coach. We also want to demonstrate that we can play in a 4-3-3.”
Veteran defender Nevio Pizzolitto, who is recovering from a sports hernia, took part in a second day of training with his teammates Friday in Melgaço.
“I feel great. It’s fun to be back with the guys at training,” mentioned Pizzolitto, who is also enjoying his newfound role as team captain. “The younger guys start coming to me and asking more questions and I started organizing fun things for the team. It’s pleasurable to be there for the guys and I’m happy to give my experience and advice to anyone who asks me.”
Forward Eduardo Sebrango, who suffered a mild concussion in the first game, trained alone on the sidelines today.
The Impact will play its third and final match in Portugal next Wednesday against first division club Rio Ave FC (League 1).
2010 season tickets are currently on sale. Mini-season tickets are also available for purchase for five matches, starting at $50, or ten matches from $100. For further information, dial 514-328-3668 or visit impactmontreal.com.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
