TORONTO – How do you solve a problem like Piatti?
That is the question Toronto FC have been asking themselves for the past two weeks, as they prepare for the return of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs on Tuesday, when the Eastern Conference Championship opens in Montreal (8 pm ET, ESPN, WatchESPN, RDS, TSN1/3).
Ignacio Piatti, after all, has been a constant thorn in their side.
In league play, the Impact's Argentine playmaker has scored three goals and notched two assists in five matches against TFC, adding an additional goal and assist in their Knockout Round postseason meeting last year for good measure.
“[He's] gotten the best of us in the past,” recalled Reds defender Eriq Zavaleta on Wednesday.
That's putting it lightly.
“We have a lot of respect for him,” said assistant coach Robin Fraser midweek. “But we have thoughts in mind how to deal with him.”
Piecing together the clues, a four-step curative emerges:
Step One: Diagnose the threat
“We don't underestimate him; we know his value and ability,” said Greg Vanney on a media conference call Wednesday. “What [Piatti] does before he gets the ball, when he's helping the team defend, [and] sees [they're] about to win the ball, he quickly transitions before anyone else. He wins fragments of time. That's where he gets his space, his separation. And then you see his ability to take on defenders one-v-one and to score.
“Be aware of him at all times, especially when we have the ball,” Vanney added. “Make sure that when he separates to transition we have a keen awareness of where he is.”
Said defender Drew Moor on Friday: “We can't give him a lot of space, a lot of time on the ball. He likes to drift off your shoulder, he'll hide from you when we're in possession. We have to communicate well, be organized, and keep a close eye on him.”
Step Two: Prevent it from occurring
“Organization behind our attacks is critical,” said Vanney on Monday. “Making sure that not are we just organized, but aware of where [the threats are].”
Robin Fraser further expanded the point on Wednesday.
“Even when we have the ball, it's our shape behind the ball,” he said, “being aware of their dangerous players. Don't get caught unprepared.”
It is a point the coaching staff has driven into the minds of the defenders, as evidenced by a story relayed by Zavaleta on Wednesday.
“Coaches say, sometimes you don't see [your team's] goals,” said the center back, “because you're so busy organizing, making sure you're in the right position for plays that [could] come back the other way.”
Step Three: React when it does
“Stopping the outlet pass would be a good start,” joked fullback Justin Morrow on Monday. “Once he gets the ball, you have to have numbers around him. Good collective team defense.”
Zavaleta alluded to the importance of preventing Piatti from getting comfortable or loose. But when the Argentine does find space?
“Slow him down, recover quickly,” said Vanney on Monday, “get numbers behind and around the ball, which is something we did fantastically against New York [City FC].”
Step Four – Make Montreal pay
“It's important that we make him defend,” said Vanney on Monday. “If he tries to peel away early, we have to take advantage of those moments: attack the fullback, make [Piatti] pay for not being fully engaged on the defensive side.”
Despite all that, TFC know no plan is foolproof.
“Players that good are going to have their moments,” admitted Fraser. “You try to limit them and the scope of how dangerous they are.”
