After a season of ups and downs, Atlético Ottawa find themselves one win away from getting back to a CPL Final as they head to Hamilton to face Forge FC on Saturday in the CPL semi-final.
Ahead of the match, Atlético Ottawa head coach Carlos González, defender Maxim Tissot and striker Rubén del Campo all took time to speak to the media about the upcoming match.
Here is what they had to say ahead of the CPL semi-final, which will kick off at 4 p.m. ET at Tim Hortons Field, and live on OneSoccer.
Carlos González, Atlético Ottawa head coach
What his group can take away from a thrilling win over York United
“Well, I would have preferred to finish the game in the 90th minute. But yeah, when situations like this appear, you can also take onwards a lot of positive things for the team. The resiliency, the capacity to bounce back in difficult moments, breaking the barrier of winning in penalties. I think that all these situations the only thing that creates are benefits for the team, more unity, and togetherness. We’re in a great point to go to Hamilton and try to fight for the final.”
On building on his team’s winning record against Forge this season
“I think this is a brand new game, completely different context than the other ones, the previous ones, it’s all or nothing. And also they come from a situation that they want to rebuild. So what we’re looking for is to build from all those victories that we’ve had, acknowledging that it’s going to be a completely different game. We know them quite well. We know which type of game of game we expect. We are prepared for that, and I have full confidence and trust in my players and on the way the team is facing these type of games.”
On how important his experienced players have been during the playoffs thus far
“I think that this experience is an X-factor for these type of games, because it’s important that once you’re living situations in the games, you don’t get nervous, and the emotions don’t, well, get over you. So I think that this is so important to have these type of games that they’ve lived this type of situations with high pressure. And also they’re players, as I always say, that they don’t only add to the team. There are players that are multipliers, because at the end of the day, they can spread this experience and this behaviour to other players that maybe don’t have such experience. So I think that it’s very important we have a couple of those players in each line.”
Maxim Tissot, Atlético Ottawa fullback
On this being his final playoff run as he gets set for retirement at the end of the season
“I’m extremely emotionally invested. I think it’s always been something in my game that has helped me, and I know I’ve played a bit less lately coming back from injury, so I try to give my all now, with advice, with positive attitude, and really try to help impact the team any positive way I can. So it’s been a roller coaster this year, for sure. But like I mentioned to the guys in that video, I want to end my career on a high note by winning, and we’re two games away from that. Obviously, it starts with Forge on the weekend. And I still have the 2022 loss in the Final very much on my mind. So it’ll be some sort of revenge, I hope, on Saturday, and ultimately we can move on to the final on Nov. 9.”
On the pressure being on Forge in this match
“Three wins out of four games against them this season, we’ve done some good things against them. Now reproducing that in a game that matters. I’ve heard Bobby’s interviews where he always says that his leaders show up when it matters. And we have to do the same thing. It’ll be a tough game, and we have to; like I said, they’ve been on a losing streak of three games. There’s maybe a bit of doubt creeping in, and we have to pounce on that and start the game from minute one. But I like our chances, like the way our group is set up. I think we grew a lot from the game Sunday. And we have to bring that all in and put in a 90-minute performance, 120-plus performance against Forge on Saturday.”
On how they can make Forge uncomfortable on Saturday
“I think a big one is keeping the ball. They’re very good at attacking. They want to have the ball. If we can keep the ball away from them, with long sequences of possession, I think that’ll help. Forge will create chances, whether they have the ball for one minute or 90 minutes. They’re a very well built team. That’s why they’re there every year. But if we can keep the ball in important moments and defend with the ball, I like our chances on Saturday.”
Rubén del Campo, Atlético Ottawa attacker
What confidence they can take from their wins against Forge this season
“I think we have to take from all the games we have played against Forge. We have to take something because we know it’s a big team with big players. It’s gonna be a hard game and we have to be dominant in all phases of the game.”
The importance of having so many experienced players on the team
“It think it’s important because they bring experience here in Canada; in the league they’ve played playoffs [before]. I think it’s important to have that in the locker room, because they’re mentally ready for that.”
On the importance of the win against York United for the team’s spirit
“I think it’s a result of the togetherness of the team. I think all the members of the team bring something from this win. So just togetherness, unity and that’s the result.”
