Matildas coach responds after worrying scenes despite win without Kerr and Fowler
But adapting to Montemurro's new style of play has proven to be a challenge for the team. Montemurro often deploys a more possession-based game plan than what some of the Matildas players are accustomed to during their time in the national jersey. And it showed with the players giving the ball away time and time again.
This allowed Slovenia to record a massive 30 shots on target across the contest. Despite struggling in possession and making errors, the class of the Matildas was on display having made the crucial plays when it mattered.
While life under Montemurro started with a victory, the former Lyon coach was left unimpressed with certain areas of their performance. "It was an entertaining game. It could have been 6-5 or 7-6 or something," Montemurro said.
"But for me, it was a very important test, because a team that will play player-on-player in that manner, we have to learn to be better under these circumstances, because a lot of teams will do this now in modern football When you want to play a game where you're breaking lines and preparing to break lines and you're playing under pressure, you are going to make mistakes."
Although Montemurro admitted the players need to learn to suffer with and without the ball to return to the top level again with the Matildas dropping to their equal-lowest ranking in years. "You are going to make errors, and I'm demanding this, because for us to be at the top level, we have to be comfortable doing this. We made three or four big errors in that. But I'm not concerned, because it's the process going forward," he added.
"For me, it was the perfect game against a team that's obviously pressured all over the pitch. We have to be comfortable under that pressure." Fortunately for Montemurro, the 3-0 win came with a host of superstars missing from the side.
Alongside Kerr and Fowler, the Matildas were missing stars Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry, Cortnee Vine and Clare Wheeler. Many are taking an extended rest after a long European season.
Just as Montemurro was announced as the new coach of the Matildas, Kerr suffered a fresh injury. Kerr has not played football in more than 16 months after tearing her ACL during training for her club side Chelsea.
And earlier this month, it was revealed Kerr underwent surgery on a separate injury. Little is known about her recovery timeline, with Kerr and partner Kristie Mews recently taking a break and holidaying in the off-season.
However, the Matildas superstar handed fans an update having posted footage of her back training and running with the ball during a Chelsea session. Although she was once again excluded from the Matildas squad with fans increasingly interested over when she will make a comeback.
The Matildas superstar has been undergoing her recovery and was a hope to line-up for Chelsea, before their record breaking Women's Super League season came to an end. Although this didn't come to fruition with the plan for Kerr to remain in England and continue her recovery with Chelsea.
Fowler remains out having also suffered an ACL injury towards the end of Manchester City's season. The Matildas star has been undergoing recovery with her club side having been told she can't travel after surgery. This meant she wasn't able to return home to watch partner Nathan Cleary in State of Origin.
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