CF Montreal has provided fans with memorable moments in a few of their duels against Mexican clubs and they can create more on Saturday night.
For the first time in its history, the Bleu-blanc-noir will face the Pumas UNAM at the Saputo stadium, in its first match of the group stage of the Coupe des Ligues.
Who doesn’t remember Cameron Porter’s famous stoppage-time goal in the second leg of the 2015 Concacaf Champions League quarter-finals against Pachuca? From the tournament final against Club America, also in 2015? Or the beautiful 3-0 victory over Santos Laguna at the Olympic Stadium in 2022?
By continuing on this path and adding a triumph against the Pumas in their first game of the Coupe des Ligues, the Montrealers could quickly rise to the top of Group 2 of the East section. They would also put pressure on the Mexican team and DC United, who complete this group.
On the face of it, CF Montreal might have the advantage of already being on their rhythm unlike the Pumas, who have only played three games (1-0-2) this season in the Liga MX, but they have made sure to do their homework to be well prepared.
“We watched videos of their style of play. They’re a team that likes to go forward and have very good offensive players at one on one,” observed forward Ariel Lassiter. They are a dangerous and very direct team. We have to be careful defensively, but as we are at home and have our supporters behind us, we also have to be the aggressors. »
The beauty of this new League Cup format is that it features all 29 teams from MLS and 18 from Liga MX. Of course, the coaches know their opponents in their respective league, but there will still be a small adjustment when they face clubs from the other league.
However, CF Montreal head coach Hernan Losada doesn’t believe there is really a surprise effect during this tournament. At least not in today’s era.
“The analysis process is quite similar to that against any other team. We are in 2023 so there is a panoply of technologies to allow us to evaluate and analyze an opponent. We use the same tools for MLS teams,” he said.
“Anyway, if I can speak for our organization, we don’t really think about Pumas tactics and I believe they will too. »
Maybe Losada doesn’t care about the Pumas’ tactical choices because it’s application on the pitch that is everything anyway. And in this aspect of the game, the Mexican club is to be taken seriously on the attack. More particularly the striker Juan Dinenno.
The 28-year-old Dinenno appeared in 127 games for the Pumas and scored 55 goals, including a total of 14 in the last season of the Liga MX, which is divided into two 17-game tournaments. The Argentine also won the Concacaf Champions League Golden Boot in 2022, having scored nine goals in just eight outings.
The Montrealers will have to find a way to counter him and they could do so by keeping him away from the ball.
“It will be in the way we handle the game with the ball. You have to control possession as much as possible, it will be very important. Dinenno is one of the best forwards in Mexico and certainly the Pumas. You have to have a good defensive block. You have to show a good team structure and good decision-making with the ball,” observed Lassiter.
After losing in the Canadian Championship final against the Vancouver Whitecaps, CF Montreal will begin their road to try once again to secure a ticket to the Concacaf Champions League and add a trophy to their collection.
Above all, it has the opportunity to grow as an organization and show the level of play of MLS against that of Liga MX.
“All competitions are important to us. We took the Canadian Championship very seriously, as we take the MLS championship and this tournament very seriously, insisted Losada. I think it’s a great opportunity for our organization and it’s important for the future, to continue to develop our level of play and that of MLS. »
“It’s a very important tournament. We don’t have the regular opportunity to play against Mexican teams so it’s a new style of play. There’s a trophy and a place in the Champions League at the end so we want to go as far as possible,” added midfielder Mathieu Choinière.
Losada did not shy away from his starting 11 after the Bleu-blanc-noir secured a fine 2-0 win against Charlotte FC last Saturday. However, he confirmed that goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois will be in his position and that Lassi Lappalainen was fit enough to be part of the selection, but not 100%.
