Can CF Montréal turn its season around against Toronto FC?
After an encouraging start to the season, CF Montréal is experiencing a dry spell. With three straight losses and winless in its last five, is a matchup against rival Toronto FC exactly what's needed to get back on track? It is quite possible.
Laurent Courtois' squad (3-6-3) will face TFC (6-6-1) on Saturday at BMO Field, before facing the Hamilton Forge on Wednesday at Saputo Stadium in the second leg of the Canadian Championship. The head coach says his team is excited by these challenges.
“We must never hide our faces from the elements that are not acceptable and that we want to continue working on,” Courtois said of his struggling club during a video conference on Friday. “But there are positives. We are aware of these two tests. The guys are very motivated for the derby and the Cup match. They can't wait to do battle.”
Midfielder Dominic Iankov says CF Montréal isn't panicking over its current poor form, and he is noticing both good plays as well as mistakes that need to be corrected in order to turn the tide.
“I think that in attack, there are a lot of positives. In many games, we score goals, but also give away easy goals,” he said. “We have to work on that. It will come with time and experience.
“We are trying to stay positive. We have to correct some of the mistakes we make. We're going to keep pushing. This team is like a big family. We have to continue to stick together and stay positive.”
“It takes better concentration, especially on set pieces,” said defender Ruan. “We have to find the feeling of victory and competition”
Courtois says he'd like his players to keep their emotions in check.
“You have to find the balance between emotion and unhealthy animosity,” he says.
That won't stop some of his troops, who will be experiencing the Toronto-montreal rivalry for the first time, from enjoying the moment.
“It's a first for me,” Iankov said. “I know it's special, more personal for the fans. I hope we can make them happy.”
After two draws and three defeats, they are surely just waiting to smile again.