CF Montréal needs a win to advance to quarterfinals
The stage is set next Tuesday at Olympic Stadium at 8pm, as CF Montréal gets set to take on Santos Laguna in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions League round of 16, after losing 1-0 in the first leg in Mexico. Tickets are still available here.
Wilfried Nancy’s men will need a win on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinal. If Santos Laguna manages to find the net at the Big-O, that win will need to buy two goals or more given the away goal rule.
“I told my players before the matchup that we had four halves to play,” explained head coach Wilfried Nancy. “We could’ve done better in the first half, but I liked what we did in the second. We showed character in our style of play, we were calm, and we created chances. I like that we were able to do that given the difficult scenario. We’re solely focused on the return leg, and we’re going to have to win.”
Questionable call in Mexico
Montreal got off to the perfect, last Tuesday evening in Torreon, scoring within five minutes thanks to a solid individual effort from Romell Quioto, but the goal was called back due to a questionable foul in the beginning of the play.
Wilfried Nancy’s men had their fair share of chances, but it was the home side that was able to find the back of the net in 88th minute, allowing them to head to Montreal with a slight one-goal advantage.
“It will be nice to see our fans again, and benefit from that energy you get when they’re behind you,” explained fullback Mathieu Choinière. “We know they’re the type of team that like to move forward quickly, so we’ll need to manage their counter-attacks better and be more organized.”
After hosting the second leg on Tuesday at the Big-O, Montreal will then get ready to kick off its MLS season on Sunday, February 27, at 1pm, against Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium in Florida. The team will then return to Montreal for its home opener on Saturday, March 5, at 4pm, against the Philadelphia Union, also at Olympic Stadium.
But for now, the focus remains on this Champions League matchup.
“The team is feeling good,” added Choinière. “We’re all excited to be back home and to play in front of our fans. For some people on the team, it’ll be their first Champions League experience at home, so we’re excited. It’s a great experience. We just want to do well at home in front of our fans.”
