CF Montreal 0-0 Nashville: CF Montreal Coach’s Comments

Coach Laurent reflected on his team’s performance after a match marked by solidarity, determination, and a sense of incompleteness. Despite the absence of a goal to validate the team’s efforts, he made a point to praise the cohesion and progress of the group, emphasizing the concept of a standard to maintain, both defensively and offensively.

“There was just the missing goal to validate the boys’ efforts,” he acknowledged. For him, this match represents more than a simple result: it is a step in building a solid, disciplined, and self-aware team. “What we want is a standard. It shouldn’t be below that.”

On the tactical side, Laurent defended his choices, particularly the positioning of certain players in experimental roles. He explained that he wanted to find a balance between defensive stability and attacking potential: “We want our players to experiment in certain positions. He has an interesting profile, able to defend forward and bring stability on the left side.”

The coach also mentioned the physical management of his players: “Since the beginning of the season, we’ve tried to manage workload, especially for those returning from injury. Some have made tremendous efforts to get back to a good level.”

Regarding missed opportunities, Laurent admitted there is still work to be done in finishing and decision-making in the attacking third: “We work, we review, we repeat. We need to continue creating more qualitative situations. Sometimes we can shift the ball to arrive with more players. It’s only by working again and again that we’ll reach the desired precision.”

On the mental side and the team’s aggressiveness, the coach highlighted moments of insufficient intensity: “We want more aggressiveness and commitment. We emphasized the behaviors we want to see. When we’re tired, we have to communicate more.”

When asked about defensive performance and the goalkeeper’s role, Laurent noted progress while calling for more consistency: “He made some extraordinary saves at the start of the season, but also some mistakes. We need to find more continuity. These are professional, hardworking players we can rely on in difficult moments.”

Despite the frustration of a goalless draw, the coach sees positive signs: a more united team, more aware of its responsibilities, and ready to elevate its level. “We must maintain this base, this standard, and build from there. The work continues.”