Columbus.- If Dallas was the perfect place to launch the offensive take off for CrewSC, Montreal is an entirely different story. The Impact has won their last three matches at home in all competitions, and they are looking for a fourth one to keep Columbus at the bottom of the table.
For CrewSC this the last stop of a brutal three road games stretch. Last week at Frisco the team showed an improvement in the attacking area. They generated enough chances to win that game, but and excellent performance from Dallas goalie and the anxiety of the Columbus forwards caused them their shots to miss the net.
Today’s game represents a difficult task for Columbus. Montreal is very effective in getting compact, even though they have a similar system (4-2-3-1) when they don’t have the ball the Impact defends with a double four line; they pulled Shipp and Venegas back leaving Piatti and speedy Oduro ready for the counter. This formula consistently works when it comes to frustrate Columbus in the attack.
“They are pretty good on transitions. There is going to be a space for us in the middle to penetrate their defense. We don’t want to be in a countering battle with them, but just stay composed, and we’ll be alright” Justin Meram said on the team’s website.
Composure is the key. Meram knows it, his team knows it. At the same time, it forces Columbus to play out their comfort zone, and that means fewer plays from the flanks and more offensive possession through the middle. The ball movement has to be deeper and faster, don’t be surprised to see Cedric Mabwatti and Mohammed Saeid get more playing action today. Together they speed up the Berhalter system and provide the spark on the attack.
Montreal won its first two games and dropped the last two, but they are undefeated in their last eight home games. Didier Drogba is set to return today as well as Kei Kamara, they were both doubtful but it is very likely that both will feature today.
But don’t get confused, the duel for this game will be Argentinian. For Montreal, Ignacio Piatti represents a significant threat to the visitors that in their previous matches haven’t been able to contain him. On the other side, How Higuain distributes the ball in the final third will make the difference.
First trip ever to Olympic Stadium for the Crew SC, maybe a change of fate at Montreal? Maybe not.
Columbus Crew
Montreal Impact
