First of two games in 2018 against the New York rival
HARRISON, New Jersey – The Montreal Impact will play a fifth game on the road in this beginning of the 2018 season, when the Bleu-blanc-noir visits Red Bull Arena, this Saturday at 1pm, to face the New York Red Bulls (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690).
“The Red Bulls are a very generous team, that constantly push forward and they have a strong identity,” said Impact head coach, Rémi Garde. “We’ll need to have cohesive answers to their style of play. Despite their Champions League game on Tuesday night, we’ll need to be ready.”
Nacho Piatti available
The Argentine Designated Player Nacho Piatti is once again at Garde’s disposal after a slight injury kept him out of the game against the New England Revolution. In his career against the Red Bulls, the number 10 has two goals and two assists in seven games.
“I’m happy I trained with the team this week,” said Piatti. “We have a big game on Saturday, we want to improve the things we didn’t do well last week. We worked hard on the mistakes we committed in New England. We know it’s hard to play the Red Bulls at home, but we’re heading there with the intention of bringing points back home.”
A difficult stadium for the Bleu-blanc-noir
Montreal will have a difficult task in New Jersey, with the history of the meetings between the two clubs going against the Impact: in eight games at Red Bull Arena, the Impact has not earned a point, scoring seven goals and conceding 25. However, there was that one victory in the 2016 Eastern Conference semi-final.
“We know the Red Bulls have a great team and playing there is always a challenge,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “We’re ready for that challenge. They have a unique style, they press a lot everywhere on the field and they’re in great shape physically. We need to be ready for everything. It will certainly be one of our biggest challenges so far this year.”
Red Bulls winless in three games
Jesse Marsch’s team is going through a rough patch: its elimination in the Champions League semi-final was preceded by a heartbreaking 4-3 loss against Orlando City SC, on March 31. The Red Bulls have amassed six points in MLS in 2018, the same tally as the Impact up to now.
Upcoming games
The Montreal Impact will be back at Stade Saputo on Saturday, April 21, at 1pm, when the Los Angeles FC visits the metropolis for the first time (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). After, the Bleu-blanc-noir will visit Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, on Saturday, April 28, also at 1pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690).
