Carles Gil Discusses Relationship With Revs Strikers, Dealing With Injuries
Carles Gil Discusses Relationship With Revs Strikers, Dealing With Injuries
"I’m trying to be 100 percent fit and be ready for the season.”
Carles Gil is a magician in the midfield for the New England Revolution.
Since joining New England, the midfielder has racked up 50 assists and is one assist away from moving ahead of Lee Nguyen for the second-most assists in Revolution history. Even with injuries hampering the number of minutes he has played, Gil has a goal and an assist so far in 2023.
While his own skill and amazing passing ability is largely the reason, Gil has also built a great relationship with fellow Designated Player Gustavo Bou. The Revolution captain discussed his relationship with “La Pantera’ when speaking with the media on Tuesday after training.
“With Gustavo I have a very good connection on the field, outside the field. He’s a killer, every time,” Gil said. “He’s danger for the other teams. So, it’s easy for me to play with him.”
But this season, Gil has also had to build a relationship with a new face up top. Bobby Wood was acquired by the Revolution in the offseason and has been a fixture in the starting XI so far in 2023.
The veteran striker has played in all six of New England’s games so far this season and also owns five starts. With a goal and two assists to his name, Wood has jumped over DP striker Giacomo Vrioni.
Gil has been impressed with Wood’s performance so far this season.
“Bobby’s doing a very good job,” the Spanish midfielder said. “[He’s] making very good runs, pressing, scoring, assists. I think he’s had a very good start of the season to help the team. We’re happy for him.”
Unlike Wood, Gil has been forced to miss some time this season due to a hamstring issue as first reported by our own Seth Macomber. Last Saturday’s start against NYCFC, was the midfielder’s first since the beginning of March.
The 30-year-old told media that he is feeling much better than he did a few weeks ago and that he is “trying to be 100 percent fit and be ready for the season.”
Due to his injuries, Gil has had to come off the bench instead of his usual position in the starting XI. Against D.C. United, Gil made an impact mere moments after stepping onto the pitch in the second half off the bench and served a beautiful ball to Bou who slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Gil discussed the different approach that is required when entering the game off the bench.
“It’s different,” the midfielder said. “When you’re coming off the bench, [playing] 30 minutes, it’s so quick. You need to be ready. Obviously, when you’re starting you can watch what’s happening in the game and make some decisions. You can take more time. It’s different.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s match against CF Montreal, New England will be looking to get three points and rectify the mistakes they made in the 1-1 draw against NYCFC. With Montreal at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and leaking goals at an epic rate (-9 goal differential), they are a perfect opponent for the Revolution to beat up on and build some momentum.
But Gil and New England won’t be walking into the stadium on Saturday thinking the three points have already been secured.
“In this league, you never know,” the midfielder said. “Every game is difficult, is different. They’ve had a difficult start to the season but they’re a good team. They’ll be difficult for sure.”
When Gil is on the field, there is no player that can match him. He is one of the best players in Major League Soccer and the most important piece of this Revolution roster.
As long as he is healthy and on the field, New England has a chance to win three points. Without him, the Revolution attack looks like a shell of itself.