After a less than stellar performance by the Impact on Wednesday in Toronto, this Saturday’s game versus the Chicago Fire at Stade Saputo becomes even more important.
“With a short turnaround, Saturday becomes our priority,” said Impact head coach Marco Schällibaum. “Not only because it’s a home game against a divisional rival, but it’s a game in which we have to react to our performance against Toronto. It’s a game where we have to respond to ourselves and bring that will to win.”
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The Impact’s bench boss feels that after a counter performance, it’s important to wipe the slate clean and move on and find the drive to win, to do well for the team and the club.
And according to midfielder Patrice Bernier, the best way to do that is to learn from your mistakes.
“We have to get back to things that we do well,” said Bernier. “We were not at the level emotionally we needed to be. We have to be much more organized against a team like Chicago with solid midfielders in its lineup.”
Midfielders like Joel Lindpere and Jeff Larentowicz, both acquired in offseason deals to shore up the middle of the pitch, work extremely hard in the midfield to win possession.
READ: Impact head coach Marco Schällibaum sends out a clear message
In addition to rediscovering the things that made the team successful earlier this season, the Impact will have a secret motivational weapon on Saturday.
“Getting a chance to redeem yourself after a tough performance so quickly should help us,” said the team’s vice-captain. “Especially playing at home where we’ve had a lot of success and where we have great backing from our supporters.”
