Newcomer Sagna Could get first taste of MLS action
Impact newcomer flew in last Saturday, has had five training sessions with team
Newcomer Bacary Sagna is not expected to be in the starting 11 for the Impact against the Chicago Fire Saturday night at Saputo Stadium (7:30 p.m., TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio) but don’t be surprised if the veteran back is on the pitch at game’s end.
“I think it should be quick,” head coach Rémi Garde said when asked when fans could expect the French international to make his MLS debut. “He’s a real professional. You don’t have a career that long and successful, at the highest level, without having acquired reflexes in terms of training, preparation and lifestyle. What he’s missing is team training.”
The 35-year-old has been working to fill the gap. He flew to Montreal last Saturday and has had five training sessions with his new teammates.
“My plan is to use him as fast as possible, depending on what I see in training this week and depending on the discussions I have with him,” said Garde. “He’s a player who will bring his experience, but also his football capabilities.”
It’s likely Garde will give the newcomer a chance to see some of the action and gauge the pace of the play from the sidelines before sending him on the pitch. That’s the strategy he used last Saturday in Salt Lake City when he inserted newcomers Quincy Amarikwa and Michael Azira into the game in the second half. The players, who were acquired in trades two days earlier, impressed Garde by injecting some energy in the latter stages of the game. The one advantage they have over Sagna is years of MLS experience.
Sagna arrived here with the seal of approval from former Impact star Didier Drogba, who helped sell him on the benefit of playing in Montreal. Sagna and Drogba were one-time rivals in the English Premier League. Sagna also received some advice from Impact defender Rod Fanni, a former teammate on the French national side.
The addition of Sagna has been welcomed by his new teammates, who are well aware of his exploits with Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League as well as his 65 appearances for France.
“He’s someone I grew up watching,” said defender Daniel Lovitz. “Even before I was an outside back, he was a player I was very interested in. I thought that he was fantastic. It’s about us integrating him into what we have established here. We know what he can contribute on the field, and it’s just a matter of time before he’s ready to step on the field and do what he does.”
“He has a big career behind him,” added midfielder Saphir Taïder. “He’ll bring his experience, and his footballing and human qualities to the group. We’re happy to have him among us, because there’s still a big part of the season left to play, and I think he’ll be an important part of our group.”
To be exact, there are nine games to be played in the regular season and the Impact is clinging to the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Montreal has 30 points for a one-point lead over New England. The Revolution has two games in hand, which means the Impact is in a must-win situation against Chicago.
“We’re starting to play games that will have more and more tension,” said Garde. “Since we know our last game of the season is in New England, I think we can expect this kind of scenario until the very end. I find it interesting to be in this position. A few months ago, we would have loved to be here. We need to work and prepare well, and approach games with confidence, but also a lot of focus, which we’ve lacked.”
The Fire is last in the East after losing its last seven games. But Chicago is only seven points back of Montreal and they defeated the Impact 1-0 on May 9 in Chicago. That was a game that got away from the Impact as Kevin Ellis scored the lone goal in the 89th minute.
We know what he can contribute on the field, and it’s just a matter of time before he’s ready to step on the field.