Both players looking to make their mark after careers spent in Europe
Halifax Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar, wearing a tuque against the maritime chill, blows his whistle and sets his squad up to work on their set pieces.
The ball is positioned on the right side of the pitch, 40-yards out from goal. Wesley Timoteo and Lorenzo Callegari are huddled together, discussing how best to cross the ball into the box. At one point, veteran keeper Yann Fillion calls out to them and gives some advice and they proceed to spend 10 minutes whipping crosses towards waiting teammates.
It’s all typical stuff as far as training goes but what differentiates this scene from others across the CPL is that Timoteo, Callegari and Fillion are all speaking in French.
A total of seven Wanderers speak French — many as their first language — making it commonplace on and off the pitch.
“This year we’ve got a great group of French guys,” said Timoteo, 23, in an interview post-training with Callegari. “It’s great, it’s our first language so getting to speak it a bit outside is nice.”
Timoteo is the club’s resident linguist having grown up in Montreal with Portuguese roots. He speaks French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish, helping teammates as a translator.
For his part, 25-year old Frenchman Callegari said Halifax’s French connection has helped him adjust to playing in North America.
“The fact that there are French players who also speak English, I can ask them to translate for me but it also helps me to learn,” said Callegari in French. He understands English but is still learning to speak it so answers questions in French or asks Timoteo to translate.
“One of the goals for me coming (to Halifax) was to learn English so maybe the next time we can chat in English,” continued Callegari with a smile. “And there are some of the others guys that have started to learn French too.”
Adjusting from Europe
Timoteo and Callegari have more than language in common.
Both recently came to North America to play football after lengthy spells in Europe. There are some obvious differences for Callegari, who grew up in Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy and spent his entire career on the continent. He most recently featured with fourth-tier side FC Chambly.
“The pitches are huge, eh,” said Callegari.
He explained that when he signed for the Wanderers, he didn’t really know anything about the league but he’s found every club has good players and the league is competitive.
And Callegari is making a name for himself as a central piece in Gheisar’s system. He’s featured in every match and heading into the Wanderers match against Cavalry FC on May 13, led the CPL in passes and touches. He averages nearly 100 pass attempts per match and has a total of 393 — 68 more than the next closest player.
He also leads the CPL in recoveries with 47, two ahead of Valour FC’s Matteo de Brienne.
“I think, right now, I’ve got a pretty important role on the pitch. But more importantly, we’re a team and I think we need to perform collectively and everyone’s got a part to play,” said Callegari when asked how he’s felt in Gheisar’s system.
Timoteo is also adjusting to the North American style of play.
Although from Montreal, he left to pursue a football career abroad and earned an academy spot with Portugal’s Esperanca de Lagos. He would go on to play for several clubs over eight years before deciding to return to Canada.
Timoteo said it took some time to adjust last year while on loan with FC Edmonton but he eventually found his groove, netting three goals and a club leading six assists over 27 matches.
“I think towards the end of the season, that’s where I felt better. Of course, this year I feel even better. It’s more physical than Europe so I’m trying to learn every game and practice with the new guys,” he said.
Tactics and how club’s set up is the biggest difference Timoteo sees between Europe and North America. Often, he said, North American clubs focus on physicality and running but Gheisar is different.
“It’s our job to adapt. This year, I’m feeling more of the European style and I like it,” said Timoteo.
Part of the system
The season is young but Callegari said he’s happy with how he’s fit into Gheisar’s system and hopes for both himself and the club to keep working towards their goals.
“Honestly, we’re improving little by little every day and we’re fully embracing the coach’s philosophy,” he said.
But one point of interest is his deployment. Callegari grew up playing as a No. 6 at PSG’s academy but has also branched out to play as an 8. He doesn’t have a preference but there are arguments for having him start at either spot.
“I like both but last year (with FC Chambly), I played more of an 8 role,” he said. “This year, I’ve started as a 6 on the pitch but from here, it’s all about where the coach wants me and I’ll simply adapt to that.”
Callegari added that he likes Gheisar’s system and enjoys the freedom it gives players to make reads and be creative.
Having played against the Wanderers last year while on loan, Timoteo has a unique perspective on how Gheisar has changed the club’s style of play.
“Last year was more direct football but this year we try to play as much as we can and keep the ball and out-possess every team. Like Lorenzo said, it’s amazing and we enjoy it,” said Timoteo. “Who doesn’t like to have the ball the whole game?”
Both players are eager to meet the goals they set out for themselves at the beginning of the season, including starting in as many matches as possible and taking advantage of their chances offensively.
“What I want for this season is to play my best. We, as players, always want to play all the matches so my goal is to play as much as possible. I also hope our team qualifies for the playoffs because I think we have a quality group,” said Callegari.
Playing for FC Edmonton and now the Wanderers has been a homecoming for Timoteo and he’s embracing the opportunity to play professionally in Canada.
“I’ve said it before, I’m just very happy to be back in Canada after moving to Europe super young — I was 14 — to play in front of my family and friends almost every game. It just feels great, it feels good to be back home,” he said.
There’s still some adjustments for Timoteo and Callegari, who are getting used to a new city, a new club and new teammates but that’s life as professional footballers.
However, Callegari has figured out his order at Tim Horton’s, a sure sign he’s on the right path.
“Iced Capp,” he said without hesitation when asked about how he likes Canadian coffee, causing both himself and Timoteo to laugh.
“It’s something I’ve discovered and they’re very, very good. So for those who don’t know . . . Iced Capp, medium.”
Editor’s Note: Lorenzo Callegari’s interview has been translated from French.
Cover Photo Credit: Canadian Premier League
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