MONTREAL – Two-and-a-half years after an emotional goodbye, Marco Di Vaio expects more of the same this weekend.
From 2008 to 2012, Bologna FC was Di Vaio’s home. He has grown fond of the Montreal Impact since then, but part of him never left Emilia-Romagna. As he prepares for the last match of his career Saturday at Stade Saputo against D.C. United (4 pm ET; MLS Live), Di Vaio’s emotions resemble those felt when he bid adieu to Serie A.
“It was tough, but maybe it was tougher [than today] because at Bologna I was changing my life,” Di Vaio told reporters on Friday. “I was coming to try something new. Now, I’ll just stop trying. I’m going back home and experiencing a new situation.”
It’s been a week of appropriate tributes.
“He prepares impeccably every day, whether it’s for games or training,” Impact captain Patrice Bernier said. “There are games where you guys might not have known, but he was barely capable of playing, and he would find a way to be fit and contribute.”
Added head coach Frank Klopas: “Guys like that, they’re not difficult for me to coach. It’s been a pleasure. I think it’s unfortunate that I’ve only been here one year. I’ve had an opportunity to know him as a person and as a player. I think we’re going to remain close friends beyond the last game tomorrow.”
The plaudits are deserved. The club’s first Designated Player, Di Vaio, like many DPs before him, faced huge expectations and took a half-season to adapt. But once he started putting the ball in the net, marking him became an unenviable task.
Di Vaio’s 2013 season will live on in the memories of Impact fans. His 20 goals helped Montreal clinch their first playoff berth, two years into their MLS existence.
“I came here 2½ years ago to leave some important moments behind,” Di Vaio said. “It wasn’t easy because I had a lot of pressure as the first Designated Player. Everyone was expecting me to score goals and making the difference on the field. But me, I wanted to score goals but mostly manage to do something historic for the club.”
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As for his future, Di Vaio is adamant that he won’t think about it before Sunday. Some role at Bologna, which Impact president Joey Saputo bought a stake in recently, seems an ideal fit.
For now, Di Vaio only has ideas for Saturday.
“Winning with a goal of mine,” Di Vaio said when asked about a perfect scenario. “For the last one, that’s the best possible thing.”
