There were no illusions — from neither head coach Tata Martino nor midfielder Giuliano Galoppo — about Atlanta United's weekend result. The loss to FC Cincinnati was felt throughout the squad, but with a Wednesday night match to prepare for, all the 5-Stripes can do is look forward.
Martino spoke rather optimistically about the development his team is undergoing, emphasizing that time will allow players to gel.
"When there are so many things that I consider positive, but the match ends 3–1, you still have to explain to the players that there are things we can take away from the performance and build on," Martino said in Spanish Tuesday.
Facing a trip to Canada to face CF Montréal at 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, Oct. 14, Martino and his men will take that positivity with them in a late-season push.
One suspension, one injury in an otherwise healthy 5-Stripes side
Will Reilly will remain unavailable for Atlanta United Wednesday night, still dealing with an ankle injury. Tomás Jacob will also be out, suspended for Yellow Card Accumulation.
Player |
Injury/Reason |
Status |
Tomás Jacob |
Yellow Card Accumulation |
Out |
Will Reilly |
Ankle |
Out |
Galoppo's growing confidence in a deep midfield
Atlanta United's midfield is quickly looking like the most reinforced position group in the squad. The confluence of new signings and 5-Stripes veteran have created true depth, especially important during times like these. A midweek match against Montréal after playing just four days prior will almost necessitate changes to the lineup.
Martino said that much in Tuesday's media availability, listing off his staff's considerations when selecting lineups during packed schedules.
"First, how the players are recovering between match and match," Martino said in Spanish. "Second, that one already gets an idea of which players can sustain a rhythm playing every three days and which are those players who need a bit more recovery time. So, based on that reading, we build the team and make some changes."
Galoppo, who is fresh off two consecutive starts of 86 minutes, is building his own rhythm in the squad. We'll see if Martino holds him in that group that can play in the midweek tomorrow night, but the Argentine is ready to contribute wherever he ends up.
"I've been feeling good, better and better," Galoppo said in Spanish Tuesday. "... The other day I felt very good, little by little picking up the rhythm I was always used to playing with."
Two new-look teams since the last time they squared off
Atlanta United's 3-1 victory against CF Montréal back in May is plenty evidence that the 5-Stripes can get something from this midweek match. But the Atlanta United squad that took the pitch featured five starters that aren't on the roster come October.
A new 5-Stripes side, one with five summer signings that are all playing important roles in the starting XI, looks to win just the same certainty. They're in need of a match that ends in three points, and a last place Montréal side is an opportunity for just that.
Still, the hosts bring new options to the table as well. Former Arsenal forward and Chilean International Alexis Sánchez signed for the club over the summer, joining Prince Nwosu and former 5-Stripe Daniel Rios in a front three.
Martino will know what he's getting into playing Sánchez, having coached the star during his Barcelona stint in 2013-14.
"At that time, he was a completely decisive one-on-one player, going into space, capable of scoring goals, capable of setting others up," Martino said. "... Today, and especially what I've seen in Montreal, I've seen more of a player who is much more involved in the buildup, in the elaboration of play."
On Atlanta's attacking end, the quest to fully integrate Breel Embolo is still on the top of their minds. Galoppo praised the forward's holdup play but knows there's more to be done connecting with him.
"We have to find Breel, who is doing very important work of holding up, of holding off the center backs, which many times isn't seen," Galoppo said. "... It's a matter of time, of working together."
Being more direct overall is something Martino wants his team to explore.
"I think it goes along those lines, by modifying certain things so that the opponent isn't so comfortable with the message we're sending them," Martino said.
