Don’t be fooled by Ignacio Piatti’s left-wing starting position.
The Montreal Impact’s new designated player is a true “No. 10,” serving as the team’s chief playmaker, given license to roam free on the pitch and follow his attacking instincts whenever and wherever they take him.
Thus far, the 29-year-old Argentine has had a huge impact (pun intended) for Montreal, registering four goals and one assist through his first six Major League Soccer games. His best outing came in a breakout performance when he scored both goals in a 2-0 win over the Columbus Crew on Aug. 30.
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Crucially, Piatti has also tallied seven shots on goal, including four in that game against Columbus. His fearless and ruthless play in the attacking third has greatly boosted a Montreal side that boasts the third-worst offensive record in the 19-team league.
All this after playing a full season for San Lorenzo in Argentina’s first division, and helping the club win the Copa Libertadores last month—he played the first leg of the two-game final on Aug. 6 but missed the return match a week later so that he could officially join the Impact. Three days after landing in Montreal he made his MLS debut.
Since Piatti’s arrival, the Impact have been transformed, looking far more dangerous in attack—although conceding goals remains an issue—and winning games that they would have lost earlier in the campaign.
Piatti’s glittering start to his MLS career makes you wonder how the Impact, officially eliminated from playoff contention this past weekend, would have fared this season if they had access to the services of the mercurial Argentine right from the start.
“You’ve seen since he’s joined us that he’s a difference-maker in this league. He’s already shown that he has all the qualities to be one of the best players in MLS,” says Matt Jordan, the Impact’s Technical Director.
Impact coach Frank Klopas echoes Jordan’s sentiments.
“He’s been fantastic. …He’s been better with every game, more comfortable with his understanding with the players and the league. He’s going to keep improving and have more of an impact for our team. In the final third, his quality has been fantastic to watch,” Klopas said.
Piatti’s stellar play has also coincided with Marco Di Vaio playing his best soccer all year. Fresh off a campaign in which he was a finalist for league MVP honours after scoring 20 goals, the Italian has struggled with injury and a lack of form in 2014.
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Recently, Di Vaio has looked like his old-self thanks in large part to the quality of service he’s received from Piatti, as the two designated players have shown instant chemistry and a level of understanding with one another that usually comes only after years of playing together.
A prime example came in last week’s CONCACAF Champions League win over the New York Red Bulls. The ball quickly fell to the feet of Piatti following a New York turnover in midfield. The Argentine took two quick touches, pivoted and then picked out a streaking Di Vaio with a magnificent, inch-perfect diagonal cross into the box that the Italian chested down before slotting home.
“I think he’s helped to take the pressure of Marco. Whereas everybody use to play attention to where Marco was, now they have to pay attention to what Piatti can do,” said Montreal captain Patrice Bernier.
Other attacking players such as Dilly Duka and Andres Romero have also looked more effective and dangerous going forward with Piatti masterfully pulling the creative strings in midfield.
“He’s comfortable on the ball, he can take players on one-on one…he can burst into space with the ball. The team is more dynamic with him in there,” Bernier said. “We create havoc.”
