Montreal Impact News Release – www.montrealimpact.com
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
MONTREAL, QC — The Montreal Impact and Italian second division club Pisa (Serie B) tied 0-0 Wednesday in the first exhibition game in Italy at the Garibaldi Arena – Romeo Anconetani Stadium, in Pisa.
“We did well against a quality team,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “They were one level above us in terms of speed of execution because it’s a team that’s in the middle of their championship. In general it was good because we worked hard. It was an excellent preparation.”
“As expected, this game was a very good test for us, giving us the chance to get back in shape,” said veteran Nevio Pizzolitto. “We needed a game at this level of intensity. We did not play at our best but we worked well as a team, so it’s positive.”
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan played the entire game and registered the shutout, after notably saving a point blank shot at the end of the first half, when Pisa forward Mirko Antenucci deflected at the first post a ball from teammate Edgar Álvarez.
For this first game on Italian soil, John Limniatis used the entire lineup except injured players Stefano Pesoli (knee), Simon Gatti (thigh) and Patrick Leduc (foot), as well as substitute goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic.
The Impact now holds a record of 3-0-1 in four exhibition games since the beginning of training camp and has not conceded a single goal to the opponent yet.
The Impact will play a second preseason game in Italy, tomorrow, against AC Pistoiese (Serie C1), at 3 pm (9 am, Eastern Time).
IMPACT LINEUP
GK-Matt Jordan, D-Stephen deRoux (Rocco Placentino, 55th), D-Cédric Joqueviel (Mike Vitulano, 55th), D-Nevio Pizzolitto, D-Adam Braz, M-Leonardo Di Lorenzo, M-Sandro Grande, M-David Testo (Mauro Biello, 55th), M-Joey Gjertsen (Félix Brillant, 55th), F-Roberto Brown (Tony Donatelli, 55th), F-Eduardo Sebrango (Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, 70th)
IMPACT SURPASSES 35,000 CCL TICKETS SOLD
The Montreal Impact announced Wednesday that it has already sold 35,000 tickets for the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals that will take place February 25 at Olympic Stadium, against Mexican Club Santos Laguna.
“We are very happy to have surpassed our ticket sales objective three weeks prior to this historical game,” said Executive Vice President of the Montreal Impact Richard Legendre. “The response from the soccer fans is outstanding. We are confident that ticket sales will continue apace until February 25. Fans will create the atmosphere during this soccer celebration and we hope they will come in large numbers wearing blue.”
Several excellent tickets are still available through Admission (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com), as well as at the ticket offices of Olympic Stadium and the Saputo Stadium.
