Montréal’s Offensive Struggles Continue
CF Montréal faced a 1-0 defeat against Inter Miami at Stade Saputo on Saturday night. The loss extends Montréal’s winless streak to six consecutive MLS matches. The team has not scored in its last three MLS games, a significant change from the period before the World Cup break when they scored in eight of nine matches.
Interim head coach Philippe Eullaffroy noted the frustration of not winning or scoring despite creating opportunities. He emphasized the need for the team to understand why they are missing chances, describing the current feelings as a mix of positive and negative.
Montréal had several scoring chances early in the match. Prince Owusu delivered a low cross to Daniel Rios, who missed an open net. Shortly after, Owusu again crossed to Hennadii Synchuk, whose backheel attempt was saved by Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo.
Eullaffroy stated that the team’s engagement and adherence to the game plan are present, but they lack efficiency in the final third. He believes Montréal should have scored at least one goal in the first 15 to 20 minutes of the game. This lack of finishing quality, he explained, is currently costing the team points.
Key Incident Leads to Miami’s Goal
Inter Miami, playing without stars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, took approximately 20 minutes to establish their rhythm. Despite not creating many chances initially, Telasco Segovia hit the crossbar just before halftime.
The second half saw Montréal maintain its energy, but the finishing issues persisted. Owusu had another opportunity when played through on goal, but his hesitation allowed Ríos Novo to intervene.
A significant moment occurred in the 70th minute when Germán Berterame of Inter Miami and Montréal’s Efrain Morales collided, resulting in Berterame being knocked unconscious. Berterame was subsequently removed from the field by ambulance. According to Eullaffroy, Berterame is now conscious in hospital and showing positive signs.
The collision was ruled a foul, leading to a penalty kick for Inter Miami. Luis Suárez converted the penalty in the 81st minute, securing the 1-0 victory for Miami. This win marks Miami’s sixth consecutive road victory.
Squad Challenges and Future Outlook
Montréal captain Samuel Piette expressed frustration, noting that while the team plays well and has good ideas, the lack of finishing changes the narrative of their performance. He highlighted that the team’s solid defensive work often gets overlooked due to the focus on not scoring or creating enough chances.
The team is facing a challenging period with fixture congestion and a thin squad. Montréal recently returned from a three-week World Cup break and has played a two-legged Canadian Championship tie, a rivalry match against Toronto FC, and three consecutive games against Eastern Conference heavyweights.
Eullaffroy acknowledged the difficulty of managing the schedule, especially with a limited roster. He mentioned that the team does not have 30 players, necessitating more collective preparation than other teams. The interim coach also indicated that he has provided the front office with a list of player demands, particularly for attacking strength, during the summer transfer window.
Montréal has already strengthened its midfield and backline with inter-MLS acquisitions, including midfielder Dani Pereira from Austin FC and defender Brayan Ceballos from the New England Revolution. The team will host the New England Revolution on Saturday, August 1.
Source: sportsnet.ca
