FLORENCE, Italy – In the club’s final game of the Italy postseason training tour the Montreal Impact shut out Serie A team ACF Fiorentina 1-0 on Thursday, at Stadio Artemio Franchi, in Florence. Designated Player Marco Di Vaio scored the lone goal of the game.
The Impact scored the game-winning goal in 25th minute off of an indirect kick in the 18-yard box. From about six yards out near the right side goal line, midfielder Andrea Pisanu played a short pass to Di Vaio posted 10 yards out. The Impact DP curled it into the top corner, far post.
Fiorentina stars Luca Toni, Alberto Aquilani, Pizarro, Manuel Pasqual and Borja Valero, all saw playing time in this matchup but the Impact played a solid defensive game while creating many scoring chances.
Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush registered the shutout. In the 11th minute, Bush dove to his right to stop a long distance drive by Fiorentina midfielder Alberto Aquilani that was going low post, to the keeper’s right. Then in the 40th minute, off of a give and go, Bush managed to knock away a blast by Fiorentina’s Adem Ljajic. In the 42nd minute, he made another save with his right hand low side after Cristian Llama fired one from near the left corner of the box that dipped suddenly. In the 77thminute, Bush made another key save to stop a point blank half volley.
In the 29th minute, Bernier fired one from long distance, after winning the ball back in Viola territory, but Neto played the ball over the bar.
The best chance for the home side in the second half fell to Federico Bernardeschi when he took a one touch from just outside the box and fired opposite side of Evan Bush, but his attempt trickled just wide.
In the 83rd minute, Bernier played a through ball to Andrew Wenger down the left flank. The Impact forward took one touch towards the centre of the field, just outside the box, before hammering one that forced the Fiorentina second half keeper, Cristiano Lupatelli, to punch the ball over the net.
Impact trialists Andrea Pisanu and Oussama Essabr made the starting lineup and played the first 45 minutes, while Nicolas Cordova came on in the second half.
Midfielder Patrice Bernier wore the captain’s armband for the game.
