Match Thread: CONCACAF Champions League - Quarter-Finals - Leg 1: Cruz Azul (Mexico) v CF Montreal - March 9, 2022

[narduch]

Match is at 10pm ET on One Soccer.

According to some media reports there will be no fans (assuming this is due this weekends issues in Mexico).

More details to follow.

[narduch]

 

[narduch]

 

Edited March 10, 2022 by narduch

[Cheeta]

Not empty but pretty sparse.   Invite only or what?

Don't know if the Jamacian officiating crew helps or hurts Montreal.

[Gian-Luca]

Huge save by Breza.

 

I see still no Piette, which could leave the Nats a little thin in central midfield by the end of the month if Atiba has not recovered from his thigh injury as well.

[Cheeta]

Montreal had it coming.  Think it's going to be an early night. 

[jonovision]

Montreal's lack of a proper left back has been an issue in every match they've played this year, except the 3-0 against that hapless Santos side.

[jonovision]

Wheeler seems to really be enjoying seeing Montreal struggle.

[narduch]

Just now, jonovision said:

Wheeler seems to really be enjoying seeing Montreal struggle.

He's so obviously a TFC homer. Last years Voyageurs Cup final was so bad

[jonovision]

A scary last few minutes, but Montreal did grow into the game in that half. A one-goal loss away wouldn't be the worst result. 

[Cheeta]

Not sure what Wheeler should be doing, celebrating?  (Ha!  Maybe he is in a way). 

Montreal flat footed and confused.  Does anyone on that team have a clue what the teammate beside him is going to do at any given time?  Unless the answer is "nothing useful" I'd say no.  

[jonovision]

38 minutes ago, Gian-Luca said:

Huge save by Breza.

 

I see still no Piette, which could leave the Nats a little thin in central midfield by the end of the month if Atiba has not recovered from his thigh injury as well.

Piette and Eustaquio both were unavailable for 2 of the 3 matches last window, so we wouldn't be in a much worse spot this time. 

[jonovision]

3 minutes ago, Cheeta said:

Not sure what Wheeler should be doing, celebrating?  (Ha!  Maybe he is in a way). 

Montreal flat footed and confused.  Does anyone on that team have a clue what the teammate beside him is going to do at any given time?  Unless the answer is "nothing useful" I'd say no.  

The left side of defense is a mess, but the rest of the team seemed to get a bit more organized towards the end of the half. Montreal is without their top 3 strikers, a key wide player, an important defensive midfielder, and their best CB. I honestly think they've done ok.

[jonovision]

56 minutes ago, jonovision said:

Wheeler seems to really be enjoying seeing Montreal struggle.

I was kind of joking about this earlier, but not any more. He loves this!

[toontownman]

Kone looking really impresive again in flashes, a little lost position wise and not making himself available at other times. 

[jonovision]

If they go to VAR for this...

[jonovision]

Fine result. Not inconceivable that Montreal could do the business at Olympic Stadium. Quioto would make a huge difference compared to the options available tonight.

[Trois Reds]

I'll take the 1-0.  Montreal can still win this.

[toontownman]

Definitely winnable at home same as the last round. They need more up top though in general. Waterman had some nice moments. 

[dyslexic nam]

Missed about the first half hour of the game but Montreal definitely seemed to continue getting better as the game went on.  They are still fortunate that CA couldn’t finish their chances though or this one could be a pretty different situation heading back to Saputo.  Still in the tie though and they hav already shown that they can be a very different team at home.  All in all, a 1-0 away loss in Mexico is probably not bad in the grand scheme of things.