"I listened to my heart"
The Impact’s newest acquisition, right-back Bacary Sagna, met with the media on Tuesday morning at Centre Nutrilait, for the first time since his arrival in Montreal. The French international played in the Premier League with Arsenal and Manchester City for close to a decade, before joining Italian club Benevento Calcio in Serie A for a season. Here is a summary of Tuesday’s presser.
On the feeling he got from the Impact
“I just got a good feeling. I’m someone who’s very family oriented, and I think this is a family club. Just from speaking to the coach, I understood that this is where I wanted to be. I understood that is where I had to pursue my career. I listened to my heart and now I’m here today.”
On his choice of coming to play in North America
“As a player, it’s always something in the back of your mind, to come here one day, because it offers something different. It’s a different continent, different league, and it’s something, especially as a European player, that’s attractive to us. I got an opportunity, and I seized it.”
On his discussions about the Impact before signing
“I sent Didier Drogba a message. I spoke to Rod Fanni, who I’ve already played with in the French national team. I spoke with the coach, who passed through Arsenal just like I did. I only heard great things. I knew I would be well off here, and I’m very happy to have made this choice.”
On head coach Rémi Garde
“The fact that we both played for Arsenal weighed in on my decision. I’ve been following this coach for a long time now. He was probably one of the first French players to sign in the UK. He then became manager at Lyon and he did quite well. I like the way he makes his teams play. Even when he came here, it wasn’t easy at first. He started with a few losses, but we can see a big improvement from the team, and now it’s going the right way.”
On his familiarity with MLS
“I follow this league because some of my friends are playing in it, and because it’s a league I enjoy. As a football lover, it’s always interesting to indulge in something different. I had the opportunity to watch the Montreal Impact as well, because the coach is French and a few of my friends were here as well. It’s a very good level of soccer.”
On staying in shape following the European season
“I really wanted to stay in shape. I went on holiday after leaving Benevento. I followed the European league calendar for my recovery, and that’s what I forced myself to do. I spoke with my agent to put in place some training sessions, and even from home, I continued training.”
On fitness coach Robert Duverne
“He’s someone with whom I worked with in the French national team. He’s someone who made us work a lot, and who brought a lot to the national team, and to his former club, Lyon. The club can be confident in him because he lets nothing go. He pushes players to the limit and he loves when they dig deep into their resources.”
On Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Impact’s next opponent
“I know him. I played against him a few times, with the national team or even against Bayern. He’s a quality player. No matter the circumstances, it’ll be a good game.”
