Coming off of Sunday afternoon’s 2-2 draw with Orlando City at Toyota Park, the Chicago Fire returned to training on Tuesday morning. After the session, head coach Veljko Paunovic spoke with local media via conference call on his preparations for Montreal this weekend.
“For us, the challenge will always be - from now on - the next game,” he said. “We are focused, and always we’ll play every single game to win. It doesn’t matter the opponent, it doesn’t matter where we play.”
More: Paunovic shows tactical flexibility as Fire come back to tie
Paunovic’s side has played the Impact once already this season, a 2-1 home defeat to the Canadian side in April. That match saw Montreal winger Ignacio Piatti steal the game late on a shot from distance that put them ahead for good. However, the side that Paunovic employs on Saturday night (6:30 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago Plus) will be markedly different from the one that took the field the last time these teams met.
“From the last time, we’re a different team on the roster and also on the side of where we’re standing at this point in the season,” he said. “It’s going to be completely different game. What we have to improve is mostly what we have to improve from the last game. From that game we for sure have reference of the guys like (forward Didier) Drogba, like (winger Ignacio) Piatti, their quality, and other guys who played that game. We measured ourselves with them. We know that is different from playing for the first time in a season with someone. That gives you a good insight of what you can expect. Not only us on the coaching staff, but also the players, especially the players who played that game and came in the second half.”
There will be at least one new face that figures to make an appearance in Fire-Impact round two. Paunovic will be looking for recently acquired forward Luis Solignac to build on his performance from last weekend, where he came on as a second half sub against Orlando. The Argentine got his first touches in front of his new home crowd, and helped push the Fire’s comeback efforts as the game progressed.
“What we saw in Luis in this game is actually what we expected with what we saw with him performing in Colorado,” Paunovic said. “I think he did very well. I think he…energized our team in the second half just by pushing Orlando to their end more often. (It) helped us to create more opportunities, chances, and finally to tie the game. We expect for him to continue to do the same thing and improving also in front of the goal where he has to also of course – having those opportunities – he has to convert them, which we believe he will do.”
More: After transfer deadline, Solignac settling in with Chicago Fire
Aside from addressing the first team’s upcoming match, Paunovic took some time to address the development of forward Alex Morrell and midfielder Collin Fernandez, who were recently loaned out to USL affiliate Saint Louis FC.
“We believe that young players have to play,” he said. “In this case, in order to play on the first level – the MLS level – we believe they needed games on a different level. Having our partner Saint Louis, with the possibility and having an open relationship with them, was a great opportunity for them to get those minutes which are necessary before they can perform at the highest level. It’s going to be very important to take advantage of the opportunity to play in St Louis. Get the minutes, the pace, and everything we believe at the point when they are ready we will recall them.”
With his full focus on leading his team up the Eastern Conference standings, Paunovic’s approach to the final third of his team’s season remains firm.
“We still have 12 games in the league that we have possibilities to get to the playoffs, and we will do our best to do that. I think the best approach will be always focusing on the next game. With no stipulations, just go straight to win the game. Give everything and always have our best possible guys on the field trying to perform the best we can.”
