CARSON, Calif. – Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane will face a familiar foe on Saturday when they line up against the Montreal Impact’s newest Designated Player, Ivory Coast and Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba.
Drogba signed with the Impact in July to much fanfare from Montreal supporters. Drogba has already made a difference on the field for the Impact with a hat trick in his first Major League Soccer start last week against the Chicago Fire.
“He’s a top class player. He’s proven that over the years for the teams that he’s played for. He can score goals and cause problems for defenders,” said Keane. “Certainly our defenders have to be on their toes.”
Against Chicago, Drogba was at his very best, as his hulking gave the Fire backline nightmares. According to Gerrard, the Galaxy will have to be mindful of not only his physical attributes but also his ability to create chances out of nothing.
“I’ve been chatting with the defenders about Drogba. I know him a bit more than some players in the team but they have to be on their game. If we want to win this game and get three points then we have to defend well,” Gerrard said. “I think you have to play Drogba very careful because he’s clever. His movement is good and he’s very strong.
“It’s important not to get into a fight with him because usually there is only one winner. You have to play him cute and be aggressive with him at the right times and try not to give set pieces in around the box because he’s clinical from there as well.”
But Saturday’s match won’t just be a battle of old rivals, but also a chance for an up-and-coming striker to test himself against one of the legends of the game.
Galaxy and U.S. National Team forward Gyasi Zardes also has a physical side to his game like Drogba and is itching for the chance to take on the striker that he watched on television as a kid in Hawthorne.
“I grew up watching Drogba. He’s a threat up top,” Zardes said. “He’s very strong and physical, but he’s a finisher. It’s going to be a great opportunity for us to go up against him and his team.”
But when the whistle blows on Saturday, what will be Bruce Arena’s game plan to stop the Ivorian?
“Like any player, you recognize his strengths and you try to neutralize those,” Arena said. “Everything isn’t strength for every player. ... but he’s an excellent player.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
