The Melburnian who famously led Arsenal to the Women’s Super League crown this season, is in France following the fortunes of the Matildas - three of whom he previously had under his wing with Melbourne City in the W-League.
And he believes they are having to find fresh formulas and perform tactical acrobatics to unlock teams who have worked hard to nullify a Sam Kerr-led front three.
Chances have been at a premium for sixth-ranked Australia with a Kerr spot-kick follow-up, a Chloe Logarzo cross and a Monica own goal making up three of their four strikes in the Group C duels with Italy and Brazil.
Only Caitlin Food’s sharp six-yard finish in Friday’s thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Brazil was out of the traditionalist’s playbook.
Montemurro remains convinced that a last-eight place and possibly beyond awaits Ante Milicic’s team.
But the caveat is they will need to continue finding unorthodox answers to some confounding questions to ensure further progression.
“Italy and Brazil defended quite deep and that negates the speed of the Australia’s front three and their ability to get over the top and play beyond the line,” he said.
“One of our strengths is getting over the top and exploiting the pace Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Logarzo and Hayley Raso.
“But in the two games so far that’s been nullified by Italy and Brazil blocking in front of the line, and not allowing them to play.
“That means, for the style Australia plays, chances will be few and far between.
“The Italians and the Brazilians were very deep and there was no real pressure on the ball.
“But results are results and you need to find other solutions.”
The Matildas - who can secure a top-two finish and a likely last 16 clash against Norway if they beat Jamaica on Tuesday - will be looking to sharpen a few knives in that match against a team that has conceded eight goals in two games.
“Maybe the key is to work under the defensive line and overload in the midfield and out wide in areas where you can create situations to break the line, rather than going over top of the line,” added two-time W-League title winner Montemurro.
“Going back to the first game (the 2-1 loss to Italy) it’s really important to remember that that Spain in 2010 lost their first match to Switzerland and went on to win the World Cup in the men’s game.
“The first game is always a tricky - there’s that element of the unknown and there’s always the factor of anxiety.
“It’s how you grow into the tournament that matters
“I still firmly believe that they will reach the last eight and when you do that anything can happen from there.”
Montemurro batted away criticism of Kerr after her “suck on that” blast at the “haters” - some of who posted homophobic comments on social media - who have hit a raw nerve with the team.
Matildas great Heather Garriock claimed Kerr’s comments after the Brazil match were ill befitting a captain and bordered on “bitter”.
But Montemurro didn’t see it like that.
“She’s obviously reacting from a little bit of hurt from the game against Italy and the negativity that surrounded that so, as far as I’m concerned, it’s quite normal,” he said.
“It’s great that there’s a passion and belief for the team and as captain she’s pretty passionate about what she does.”
