Montreal Impact, former Serie A and Azzurri U21 midfielder Marco Donadel discusses his life in Montreal, the upcoming MLS season and some calcio, of course, in an exclusive three part interview with Italianfootballdaily.com.
Preface: We would like to thank Massimo Lecas @MassimoMTL, owner of Buonanotte, for graciously hosting us yesterday, and the Montreal Impact organization for accommodating us.
Today in part three, Donadel focuses on the upcoming season with the Montreal Impact and their expectations as well as highlighting his more personal side.
Part 3 – Looking ahead to the new season with the Impact
IFD – Frank Klopas is no longer there now as Mauro Biello has taken over. How do you feel having an Italo-Canadian at the helm?
MD: At times, it’s a bit easier. We speak a bit of Italian and English together but I understand everything in English. However, when they want to explain something in greater detail they are able to do so in Italian. Mauro has unique qualities. He’s able to talk to everyone, make the whole team believe in the project and these are important qualities for a manager. He never excludes anyone.
IFD – Is his tactical philosophy different to that of Frank Klopas?
MD: Let’s say that Mauro has his own philosophy because he’s very intelligent. This is important. Take Zeman’s philosophy for instance. To play like that today you have to be crazy. You can win ten games but then you struggle when the opposition figures you out. He’s very good at adapting and we’re trying different things. The team has good offensive players. We have extremely strong players in the final third. Even at the back our players like to get forward like Oyongo. There’s no sense in telling players like him to not push up or tell Piatti to track all the way back with his man and defend. We have to play without fear. Our philosophy is to impose our game on the opposition. Before with Klopas, we would wait for the opponent to hit us before reacting because we had amazing wingers. Back then we weren’t scoring because we didn’t have the same finishers. Now we want to bring the game to them.
IFD – Does having Drogba from the start of the season change anything?
MD: He’s not ready yet but the truth is that we have extremely difficult games at the beginning. We will surely have him in July when he is fully fit and ready. We’re starting the season on turf and I’m not sure how many games he will play at the beginning.
IFD: Where does Biello see you in his tactical schemes?
MD: Definitely in front of the defence. I like to tie the different parts of the field together. I enjoy lending the team a hand in defence and start attacks from deep. But I’m not the type of player to get assists as I rarely find myself near the box. My role is to give the team balance. In the past, I’ve played in other roles but now this is what I do.
IFD: You scored quite the goal last season against Columbus from outside the box.
MD: It was my only eurogol of the season. (laughs) I have to take advantage of this as I rarely find myself in those situations.
IFD: What do you think of Shipp?
MD: He’s good, he can play everywhere in the midfield. He’s a modern attacking midfielder, he runs, he links, he does everything. Shipp is a very intelligent player.
IFD – What do you think of bringing the Italian Supercup to Montreal?
Ed note: Juventus will face Milan in the Italian Cup final. If Juventus wins the scudetto, the Italian Super Cup will feature Juventus vs Milan, no matter who ends up winning the Italian Cup. A Juventus-Milan Super Cup in Montreal would definitely be of interest to the Italian community and fans of calcio.
MD: We had the French one here last year. I already played in one in Beijing with Fiorentina against Juventus in front of 50,000 fans. I think it’s a good idea, it would be nice.
IFD – With which player on the Impact do you have the best relationship with?
MD: I’ve never had great friends in any team I’ve played in. It happened only with Fiorentina. I’m not the type to tie myself to someone by force. I never room with the same person on away trips and I like to keep to myself at times. That said, I would say maybe Piatti because we speak the same language. But I don’t want to tell you someone and it’s not true. I have a good relationship with almost everyone on the team. I don’t have that type of friend that I go out with off the field.
IFD – Is there a particular reason that you chose #33?
MD: Now that I’m turning 33 yes. (laughs) I asked what number was available and took this one. Number 7 and 8 were available. When I came I was number 4. I had in at Fiorentina and Napoli. But at Napoli it didn’t go too well. Then when I got to Verona, #4 was available again but I went with 30 to change it up and it went well. When I got here, number 33 wasn’t taken. My mother is extremely religious therefore the number three means something to her. I’ve always liked the number. I have three kids, and I went with 33. If it doesn’t go well, I’ll change the number. (laughs)
IFD – Is this the last year of your contract?
MD: No, there’s another year. It expires in June of next year with the option to extend until the following December. But for someone of my age finishing in June would be better. It’s easier for my family and I to return to Italy if I want to return to play there.
IFD – What is your prediction for this season for the Impact?
MD: We shouldn’t hide behind low expectations for two reasons. We have a good team. Even if there are other better teams, we could do it. Then because last year we went deep into the playoffs. It would be ridiculous to lower our expectations. We had one foot in the finals last year but we wanted to surpass last season’s accomplishments. We know it’s an extremely balanced league. We have to reach the playoffs and give it our all. To say we are going to win it all is hard. However, it’s a realistic objective.
IFD – To win in the playoffs a bit of luck is needed, as well.
MD: Yes, we’ve seen teams that win tournaments based on luck but you need something more. You have to put yourself among the three to five teams that are in form at the crucial stage of the season. It’s very hard to pick out one team right now to win it all.
IFD – Do you feel the intensity of the 401 derby?
MD: I feel the effects of a derby because they are always good games. Last year, we played really fun games against them. In one week, we played two decisive games against them.
Get to know Marco –
IFD – What do you like to do off the field?
MD: In a normal week, I barely have time. Our practices tire me out. When I had the time, I went to Mount-Royal a few times and enjoyed myself. I really like Mile End and Westmount. But the reality is that it all depends on how much time is left after the field. Sometimes I go out to eat with friends. I’ve experienced the whole city since coming here. I can go from Saint-Leonard to Rockland to Laval without a GPS.
IFD – You have had the chance to work on your English. What about your French?
MD: Je peux comprendre (I could understand, laughs) I understand everything. I started studying it now. In one year, I’ll be fluent. Next year I’ll be doing interviews in French. However, the problem is that I speak in Italian with friends, some staff in Italian.
IFD – What’s your favourite restaurant?
MD: I really, really like Jatoba. When I go out and eat I like to eat stuff I don’t have at home.
IFD – Have you ever watched a Montreal Canadiens game?
MD: Yes, I watched a hockey game in 2010.
IFD: Do you like poutine?
MD: It’s not for me because of the sauce. Even when I come here (Buonanotte) I don’t eat stuff with sauce.
IFD – What do you think of our famous Montreal smoked meat?
MD: Yes, I’ve had it. It’s good but I prefer a filetto.
IFD – What’s your favourite beer?
MD: I don’t really have one. Out of the commercial beers, I choose Corona. I’ve tried them all. Recently I tried the Japanese one when I went out but at the end of the day beer is beer.
The post IFD Exclusive: Interview with Marco Donadel of the Montreal Impact (Part 3) appeared first on IFD.
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