[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q, speaking of last season, Tokyo was completely outplayed by Urawa in the second half of the game due to the successful implementation of Ricardo RODRIGUEZ's tactics. What are your thoughts on Coach Ricardo's style of play?
A, I think Coach Ricardo did a great job in Tokushima for four seasons. Regarding last season's Urawa, I think they played well and the summer reinforcements worked well. The start of this season has been difficult, but there is no doubt that the opponents are tough to fight against. I think Urawa this season is playing in a difficult schedule, with the AFC Champions League starting next week, even more packed than us. In any case, I recognize Urawa as one of the great clubs in J1. However, as I always say, our own play is more important than the opponent. We want to strive every day for our own level up, without being influenced by the opposing team, and that applies to both practice and games.
Q, what positive effect do you think there will be for the Urawa game by performing well in the Kobe match?
There were many parts that could be evaluated in the Kobe match. There were also multiple areas for improvement. For example, there was a moment at the start where we conceded control of the game to the opponent, and I would like to improve on that. We also want to improve on our attacks from the center, which were weak. However, as we play more games, the team is automatically leveling up and playing smoothly. Based on the Kobe match, we want to identify areas for improvement and connect them to leveling up. We also hope that the team will grow throughout the game, taking into account the characteristics of Urawa Reds.
Q: It seemed like you had a good understanding of how to approach interviews with Watanabe TSUBASA. Although there were times when you made mistakes depending on the situation, did you feel that there was a sense of progress in understanding each player's position as a whole?
A, the team has only been started for 3 months. I think it is worth evaluating that the players who have not played in the current play style have grown this much. However, on the other hand, we must understand that there are daily points to be corrected because it has only been 3 months. I am pleased that the players are positively working on the team's maturity, considering it as a matter of course. They have a strong desire to learn and there are high-quality players. They have a mentality to focus on the game, so the growth speed is faster than expected. At the same time, they also provide great atmosphere to the team.
In addition, it is also positive that there is a great relationship between the team and the fans and supporters. In the Kobe match, we conceded in a way that we did not expect and the game progressed in a losing state. Even in that situation, the fans and supporters in the stands calmly supported us without getting nervous, which had a positive effect on the team. The fans and supporters give confidence to the team. It is a very important boost for the team. And I think that professional sports is entertainment. The fans and supporters who come to the stadium pay for tickets to see something great. In that sense, we have an obligation to express impressive plays. However, there are wins and losses in games, and sometimes we lose, but I think it is our duty to express something impressive. In addition, I think the fans and supporters appreciated that we continued to play aggressively, seeking additional points without becoming passive, even in a situation where we were winning 3-1 in the Kobe match.
Q, Please tell us what you expect from Kuryu MATSUKI, who will be returning from suspension.
A, I want everyone to understand that Kuryu is still a young player at 18 years old. He is a player who can be expected to further grow in the future. And one of his strengths is that he has a mentality suitable for performing at the top level. He is full of motivation to learn the tactical aspects. It is very commendable that he already has a winner's mentality. When selecting players, I do not pay attention to their age. In that sense, every player has a chance. I want to decide tomorrow's lineup after evaluating all players equally.
Q, Japan was drawn in the same group as Spain in the main tournament of the World Cup. How do you feel about it?
A, In the football section, I think it is a group that includes two great countries in the world. Therefore, I think it is clear that it will be a very difficult battle for Japan. One more team has not been decided yet, but what is important for Japan is the match against the other team that will be decided last. And for the Japan national team, the key point will be to bring back as many points as possible in the two matches against the Spain national team and the Germany national team. I am currently in Japan, so I am praying for Japan's luck. I will support Japan.
Q, There was talk of improving the start, but are there any specific improvement measures for being scored first in the last two games?
A, The games against Yokohama FM and Kobe were clearly different. In the Yokohama FM game, being scored first was not included in the game plan, but our plan went as expected. We created many chances in the first half, so it would have been good if we could have scored more goals, but we couldn't carry the game. We analyzed that Yokohama FM's most dangerous weapon is their attack with speed on the wings. On the other hand, we approached the Kobe game with a different game plan. If we gave the ball to Kobe, there was a danger of them pushing us back and playing with their high-quality players. It was a plan to prevent that, but the start didn't go as planned. The team is still in a growth stage. I think it was a big improvement point to give up game control to the opponent at the start of the Kobe game. On the other hand, in both games, the team responded well after conceding and equalized, and then reacted to turn the game around. I think that is a highly commendable aspect. As a coach, it is very pleasing to have a team that can continue to play with determination in the game.
Q, it is important to possess the ball, but there are also games like the Yokohama FM match where we deliberately let the opponent possess the ball, so it is not just about possessing the ball itself, but about scoring goals. With that in mind, do you have any indicators such as ball possession rate?
A, I have a strong focus on positioning rather than possession rate. I aim to have a good position, move the ball well, and create more chances. I distribute the ball to players in appropriate positions to create chances. This is the type of play I expect. However, for example, when playing against a mature team that has been playing with the same play style for four seasons, if the opponent attacks with a large space behind the defense line, it would be a good strategy to take advantage of that space. My focus is on effective ball possession. Effective ball possession means being able to possess the ball while also being able to attack effectively. I understand this as ball possession. For example, even if the possession rate is 80%, if we are not able to build effective attacks from there, then the 80% possession rate is not effective possession. On the other hand, in the first half of the Yokohama FM game, even though our possession rate was only 35%, we were able to create 7 decisive chances and take 7 shots. In that case, the 35% possession rate was very effective. Our ideal is to have a high possession rate and create many effective chances. However, since we have just started, our game plan will naturally change depending on the characteristics of the opponent's play.
[Player Interview]
Ryoma WATANABE
Q: You have been scored against in two consecutive matches, what do you think is the cause of that?
If I can hold the ball in a better condition, I don't think the opponent can attack. I think the reason why we can be attacked is when the ball is poorly taken or when the positioning play is bad. Of course, I think the opponent is also scouting that I am playing as a side back. When it comes to where to aim, I think it will be my place if it is the defense of four, so I think it is most important how I can prevent the opponent from doing their job.
Q, after about 21 minutes into the Kobe match, you mentioned that your positioning wasn't very good when receiving the ball from Kimoto. Did you mean that you wanted to take a position a little more inside and face forward?
A, at that stage, I didn't really want to drop that far, but if the distance between the wide-open player and Kimoto was far, I had to inevitably intervene and receive the ball facing backwards. I think it would have been ideal for me to stay wide without going inside at the initial position, and for the wide player to go inside. If I could see the situation of not only the players in the situation but also the opponent's midfielders, forwards, and attacking midfielders more broadly, I think I could have avoided that mistake.
Q, the pass to Nagai after taking Iniesta out in the second goal scene, and the pass to Nagai after passing between Makino's legs in the first goal scene, are all firmly passed to the opponent's feet. Is it more intentional or instinctive to dribble past the opponent?
A, I think it's a sequence of going for the goal because I know intuitively that there is an opening. Since I can't defend with my whole body, my feet can be targeted even by the goalkeeper, so I think I have statistical evidence that I can aim for that. That's why I'm aiming for it.
Q, when I took Iniesta out of the scene, I closed my legs well and Iniesta turned his body vertically, so I felt like I caught the opposite feeling, but did you have a sense that it went well at that moment?
A, I changed it to a crotch slip because the opponent was defending by bringing the whole body closer to the line, which I noticed in an instant. It feels like the crotch slip changed to a backstreet because the opponent leaned too much.
Q, there was a scene in the early stages of the second half where you pushed the opponent on the right side and shot the ball wide to the right. You were making a move to call for the ball when it came from Nagai's negative, but were you anticipating the ball to come from Nagai's angle and preparing for it?
A, I had expected and prepared, but I think my timing was off. I was waiting with my right foot, but I think Nagai wanted to pass the ball to his left foot, and Nagai himself said he had moved forward. I thought I should keep my body neutral so that I can pass the ball with either foot.
Q, I said that if the opponent comes to my place, I will defend it, but I think I have been improving my defensive skills and awareness since the camp. Do you have any advice from the coach or staff on learning defensive techniques?
A, while watching the video, we had a discussion about how it would be better to do it this way here, and also about the defensive style of the midfield players, who are still in the middle of the game, and are currently playing with habits, including ball control, so I think we need to consciously improve from now on.
Q, the scene where Rui Osako was successfully dribbled past, he went to poke the ball but was countered in return, right?
A, when I tried to poke the ball, I was skillfully turned around in front of me instead of crushing it.
Q: I think you have many opportunities to take throw-ins as a side back during the midfield. What is your awareness of throw-ins? I think Albert's tactics also require that approach.
A, I just throw the ball so that it comes back to me and I hope to get it back with one touch. I also make sure not to get it intercepted when I throw it sideways.
Q: Where do you feel is the biggest difference and difficulty in defending in midfield and as a fullback?
A, in the case of the midfield, when going to steal a 50-50 ball or the opponent's ball, we always go to defend so that we can make it our own ball. For example, even when it is not known which ball it will be in the ball confrontation with the opponent, we go to defend so that the ball falls in front of us or to make it our own ball without letting it out of the line even at the line. It's a small detail, but in my case, I try to go to get the ball in reaction. If you try to respond and make it your own ball after the opponent takes action, as a defender, you have to go to the opponent with a high intensity, so I think you have to defend with more intensity, assuming that you will make it your own ball. If you can do that kind of defense, I think it will change to defender's defense.
<Keita YAMASHITA>
Q: The previous match against Kobe seemed to have been played with a very good feeling. How was it for player Yamashita himself?
A, I think it was the best game so far. I had a little more playing time, and I was able to take shots and touch the ball many times, so I had a good feeling.
Q, it became a phantom goal, but did that celebration explode with emotions?
To be honest, I don't remember much. But since transferring this season, I feel like I've had experiences that I've never had before.There was frustration and impatience from not being able to play in the matches, and I wanted to create an opportunity within myself and break through. It may not have been a flashy goal, but it was a gritty and characteristic play, so I think that's why I made that kind of action.
Q, all my teammates also came running towards me.
A, at that time I didn't understand at all, but when I watched the video again, I was still happy.Little by little, I thought I was being recognized, and I felt once again that I want to score goals and contribute to the strength of this team.
Q, it would be nice if it could be a good opportunity for something.
A, that's right. It became a no goal, but by shaking the net like that, the forward players feel a 180-degree difference in their emotions. I also feel the sense of progress in a positive direction, so I want to quickly score a real goal at Ajinomoto Stadium and do my best to be recognized by the fans and supporters in Tokyo.
Q: Urawa is a team that Kazuto YAMASHITA himself has a good compatibility with. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, last season, I scored goals in 2 matches and I think I have a good compatibility. As a forward, I think that the result of scoring goals is expected since I am playing in that position, and I naturally aim for it as well. However, first and foremost, I want to give my all to run for the team's victory.
<Takuya AOKI>
Q, Sec. 7's match against Kobe Univ, winning and having a good start with 4 wins in 6 league matches. Don't you feel confident?
A, there is a sense that if we can play our own soccer, we can win. We are able to play well as a team, and I don't think the content was bad even in the lost Kawasaki and Yokohama FM matches. However, if we don't have the ability to at least draw such games, we cannot enter the top. In that sense, I still feel that there are many challenges.
Q: Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda says "we are still in the growth stage," but how does player Aoki evaluate the current team?
A, it's not that the current situation is unsatisfactory, but rather that we always approach it with the word "growth" in mind. In the game, there are times when we can express our soccer and times when we can't, so the goal is to bring that to 100%. However, the players are gaining confidence through consecutive victories, and it is certain that they are able to do good, focused training.
Q: What kind of play is the coach expecting from you?
I think I am required to maintain the balance of the team. I adjust positions so that there are not too many empty spaces, and when the rhythm is bad, I try to calm the ball down once. I am conscious of ensuring that the entire team can play smoothly. When the flow of the game is bad, there is a lot of work to do, but so far there have been many good times, so I can play naturally.
Q, please tell the fans and supporters about your enthusiasm for the Urawa match.
A, Urawa has won the Emperor's Cup last season and it seems that they are becoming a better team every time they fight. However, we cannot afford to lose at home at Ajinomoto Stadium. Especially in this match, there are no restrictions on the number of spectators, so I think we will be more motivated than ever to play in front of a large number of fans and supporters. I want to make sure that everyone can go home feeling good, so I definitely want to win!
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