Montreal Impact Vs Toronto FC: 3 things we learned – Welcome, Ayo Akinola
2. Thierry Henry needs more quality
The Montreal Impact were soundly beaten by the New England Revolution. They sat too deep, relinquished possession throughout, and created very little in offensive areas, too. This was a much better performance from Thierry Henry’s side.
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In the second half, they were the fitter team. They pressed Toronto, controlled the game, and moved the ball well through the midfield. Even when Toronto scored three goals in the first half, Montreal caused serious problems on the break, with Henry using the back-three-based system to break forward with direct attacks.
The players are beginning to understand what he is asking of them. They are working hard, committing to the system, and starting to improve. There is just one thing missing: that elite quality in the final third.
Where TFC could call on Alejandro Pozuelo and Pablo Piatti to carve open Montreal, quite simply, Henry did not have the requisite players to open up a disciplined Toronto defence. In the end, they needed a long ball over the top and two penalties to score three goals. Henry needs more talent in attacking areas. With that, he might just be able to build something in Montreal.