DeSantis wants his team, which posted the A-League’s best defence last year with 21 goals allowed in 28 games, to put more emphasis on offence, especially during home games.
"Our philosophy will basically remain the same: discipline and intensity game in, game out," said DeSantis. "Most of our players are back and there won’t be any massive changes, but we will put more emphasis on attacking, especially at home.
"For instance, I want our defenders playing wide to attack more, to go up on the wings. We had the best defence and that will remain important, but sometimes, you have to take risks to create scoring chances."
"Nick insists a lot on creativity," said midfielder Patrick Leduc. "Today (Thursday), practice ended on a nice goal. Instead of focusing on the defensive mistakes that led to the goal, he praised the effort of the guys who created the play and encouraged everyone to do the same.
"He wants us to stay tight at the back, but he also wants us to create things up front. He wants us to be able to play entertaining soccer."
To do that, the Impact recently acquired forward Nikola Budalic and Mauricio Vincello, a defender who likes to support the attack, early this year. They will boost an offensive line already comprised of captain Mauro Biello, the team’s all-time leading scorer, and Eduardo Sebrango, the A-League’s top goal-scorer in 2002 who has now fully recovered from a knee operation.
The Impact will be able to work on its playing style as soon as this Tuesday, April 6, in a pre-season match against the UQAM Citadins. Another exhibition game will follow on Saturday, April 10, against the University of Montreal Carabins. Both games will kick off at 9 AM at the Catalogna Soccerplexe. Admission is free.
ANTONIO RIBEIRO ON BOARD
Midfielder Antonio Ribeiro reached an agreement with the Impact for the 2004 season. This 24-year-old Montrealer joined the team during the season last year, July 16, after a first stint with Montreal in 2000 and 2001. This former member of the Canadian Olympic team played seven games in 2003, three as a starter. He scored his first A-League career goal last August 9, in Syracuse, in a 3-1 Impact win against the Salty Dogs.
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SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
