Over the summer, Toronto FC received a facelift with a two-headed Italian monster.

CF Montreal will make their first contact with the ‘Reds’ of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi on Sunday but don’t let that intimidate the players. This confrontation will be broadcast on TVA Sports from 7:30 p.m.

The two former Serie A players were not yet at the club when Bleu Blanc Noir won 1-0 on 16 July. That all changed last month as Toronto rose from a last-place team to a roster battling for a playoff spot.

“She’s definitely different,” Toronto team coach Wilfried Nancy said on Friday. They have offensive ability, they have many resources to strengthen themselves. It’s a more confident team that’s playing differently now. They are in great form, they have good results, they have players who make the difference.

Watch Nancy’s full press briefing here:

Aggressive defensive

At a press conference on Friday, the CF Montreal pilot assured his men that they like a challenge. Insigne and Bernadeschi have combined for 10 goals in eight games since arriving in Queen City.

“You are productive. Again, there is no particular plan in relation to these players. The plan is to defend whoever is closest and defend more aggressively,” Nancy said.

“We know these are players who like to come in and shoot. We have to be very aggressive towards them, but again, it’s not just them.

Since losing in Montreal, Toronto have a record in Major League Soccer with four wins, one loss and three draws. Much like their Canadian rivals, they are enjoying their best part of the season. The Football Club was unbeaten in their eight previous games but lost their flag to the New York Red Bulls at Saputo Stadium on Wednesday.

In his only game at BMO Field in 2022, in the semifinals of the Canadian Championship, Montreal was defeated 4-0 by resting several starters in June.