Canadian ‘keeper getting set for third training stint with Italian club
It’s starting to look more and more like the offseason here in Montreal; Stade Saputo’s smooth grass surface has officially been covered for the winter, a fresh layer of snow has already left its mark on the city’s surface, and Christmas music has prematurely taken over most radio stations in and around the province.
Goalkeeper James Pantemis, on his end, is leaving it all behind for a month-long training stint with Serie A club Bologna F.C. 1909, his third training stint since September of 2017 with the Italian side in synergy with the Impact.
“The goalie coach is the same, but I know the coaching staff is different,” said Pantemis. “I’m expecting a new dynamic but the same high quality. Considering my last two stints there, I have high expectations. It’ll be nice to meet the new head coach, Filippo Inzaghi, as well.”
Pantemis will join Bologna with their season well underway, 12 games into the current campaign, with an important Coppa Italia game coming up against FC Crotone. Considering the difficulty of their schedule, Pantemis is expecting high intensity training sessions for the next month.
“The first time I went, I worried about how they would welcome a newcomer considering they were in the middle of their season,” added Pantemis. “Then I thought of how we always welcomed newcomers with open arms at the Impact, and that’s exactly how it was there. It made it easy for me to integrate their sessions.”
The training sessions will be coupled with afternoon coffee dates and visits of Bologna’s historical centre, which is what the young Impact player usually likes to do once his day at the training ground comes to an end.
After that, it’s back home for the Bleu-blanc-noir keeper, where focus will be on one thing only.
“It’s back to training when I get back, because before you know it, it’s preseason already.”
