New York City Football Club Head Coach Ronny Deila has revealed that while familiar with Columbus Crew he has noted changes in their style.
The Boys in Blue welcome Caleb Porter’s side to Yankee Stadium on Saturday for the first time in 2022. The two sides met four times last season, once in a preseason friendly, and three times in the regular season. With all four games being intense and entertaining affairs the same is expected on Saturday, and while Deila admits a familiarity with his opponent he was also keen to stress where he sees strands of change.
“We know them quite well. At the same time they've changed a little bit," Deila said. "Now they play more 4-3-3. They can still play with a 4-4-2- and a 4-2-3-1 which they have played a little bit. But I know of course their style and they know ours. So I think it's like that with all the teams in the Eastern Conference. We know each other quite well and of course some new coaches come in and it's going to be a little bit different but it's two coaches that know each other quite well.”
Elsewhere, Deila also took time out to praise Kevin O’Toole following his first start for the Club during the 3-1 win against Rochester New York FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. O’Toole lined up as a left fullback on Wednesday, and Deila appreciated his effort and performance.
“Him and Andres [Jasson] are quite similar,” Deila said. “They have a physique that is top level. They can run 13 kilmoeters or 1000 meter sprints every game .That’s what you need from fullbacks. They are technically good, their offensive contribution is good, but they have to be more tactically good, positioning wise, and defensively. That takes time of course. Kevin was positive when you think about how little he has played in that position. I think that could be his position because he has so many skills in that position.”
