CF Montréal Struggles as Bologna FC Flourishes: A Tale of Two Clubs
The rebranding of what was once the Montréal Impact to Club de Foot Montréal in 2021 sparked outrage among fans, who felt it marked the end of an era. Supporters expressed their frustration through protests, including vandalism of the new logo, which they deemed a symbol of a bland identity. Despite the passionate fanbase, CF Montréal's performance has plummeted. On Saturday, they suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union, who had yet to secure a win this season. This defeat left Montréal languishing near the bottom of the MLS standings, with five losses in their first six games, including a 5-0 defeat and two 3-0 losses. In response to the team's struggles, Montréal announced another coaching change, parting ways with head coach Marco Donadel after a lackluster tenure. His record of 0.88 points per game over seven matches this season highlighted the club's ongoing issues, as no coach has lasted long in the role since their MLS debut in 2012. Historically, CF Montréal has struggled to keep pace with the evolving league and has reached the playoffs only four times. Their lack of significant investment in player signings, with no record transfer above $4 million, further compounds their woes. In stark contrast, the Bologna FC, where club owner Joey Saputo holds majority stakes, continues to thrive in Serie A, competing in the Champions League and recently winning the Coppa Italia. This disconnection raises concerns about CF Montréal's future as they seek to restore their competitive edge in the league. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen if CF Montréal can turn their fortunes around or if they will continue to be overshadowed by their Italian counterpart.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-13