Enjoying the Evolution of Tokyo: Player Edition
~2022 Blue and Red Warriors, A Must-Check Recommendation!~
Hello Tokyo fans and supporters!
Excuse me for being abrupt, but please bear with me for a little personal talk...
I was the Tokyo correspondent for the soccer newspaper "El Golazo" until the 2020 season. During that time, I was greatly taken care of by everyone through my weekly articles. Even when I stepped down from my position, I received many kind words and support through social media, and I am still grateful for that.
Leaving the journalism profession, I have changed to be able to enjoy Tokyo with the same feeling as everyone else. I am now far from the reporting scene and have completely shifted to a business job as the head of all El Golazo reporters nationwide and business development. I mainly watch games on DAZN and go to the stadium with my son instead of sitting in the press box. In both work and watching games, there are many views that I couldn't see during my time as a journalist, which can be described as a fan/user perspective.
Of course, for fans and supporters who work at a company, this is nothing special. In such a busy life, I think there are many people who see "soccer" and "Tokyo" as a temporary pleasure to forget about work.
As a reporter, I used to always think about "tactics" and "player analysis" in a complicated way. Of course, I still keep the knowledge and perspective I gained at that time in the back of my mind, but I am able to enjoy "soccer" and "Tokyo" with pure excitement and sometimes frustration, joy, and sadness. By the way, I am writing this article right after the Sec. 13 match against Iwata. Currently, the team has lost 3 consecutive games... I can understand everyone's feelings (bitter smile).
There was an opportunity to make a prediction for the champion at the start of this season.
In my heart, I was thinking, "Tokyo, could it happen this season?" Normally, a team that struggled last season and welcomed a new coach would not suddenly win the championship. However, I am no longer a calm journalist (laughs). In the past, the thought of "winning" would never come to mind so easily, but now, as I purely observe Tokyo, I may have naturally become more optimistic. "This team is strong this season, right?" I am definitely in a "fan brain overload" state. Yes.
However, this is not entirely an unfounded opinion.
The reason why I recommend Tokyo this season. It is because they have a strong lineup and are challenging with an aggressive style.
Tokyo's history of intense style changes. In recent years, there has been a tendency for the team to achieve results mainly during defensive-oriented team management. The eras of Massimo FICCADENTI and Kenta HASEGAWA as coaches are good examples.
However, I think there are some people who have kept the desire to see how far they can fight with attacking soccer when there are good players. That long-awaited time has finally come. The players in Tokyo now have the potential to play at a high level and create a game that makes you want to watch it at the stadium.
And yet, coach Albert. Surprisingly, he also has a strict side. While it takes time to build a style of connecting passes, he also emphasizes quick counterattacks, high intensity plays, and hard work, all essential elements for victory. Despite being an idealist, he also values results. Seeing this balance, it only increases the excitement for the game and expectations for a winner.
This time, the club asked me, "Please focus on the players in your article." But wait, I've only been talking about myself... Well, the truth is, this season there are so many players who play attractive football under an attacking style, and I honestly can't write about all of them.
Above all, it's great to see all the players showing new sides, big or small.
The Great Guardian of Big Saves
Newly joined guardian, Jakub SLOWIK. He is outstanding. He is making the stadium roar with big saves, just like he did in Sendai. But what I am paying attention to is his play at his feet. There are certainly some mistakes, but he is connecting passes more solidly than I expected. Don't you all think so? He said before the start of the season, "I know the importance of absorbing new things. I want to fit into Tokyo's style." You can see that attitude in his current play. He is a hard worker, it's amazing.
The defender combination that becomes the starting point of fun
Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO, both center backs. They are modern, aren't they? In modern football, defenders cannot just defend. For a long time, Morishige has supported the team with his high-precision kicks, but this season, KIMOTO has joined and a versatile combination has been born. KIMOTO's vertical passes are also sharp and smooth, just like Morishige's. Under coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's football, these two have become even more important as key players in the attack. Football is something that gets more and more exciting as you get closer to the opponent's goal, and this season, for Tokyo, the "play in the back=Morishige and KIMOTO's timing with the ball" is the starting point of that excitement. This cannot be overlooked.
Handsome and lively lefty
As you all know, the charm of Kuryu MATSUKI, also known as the "handsome and lively midfielder", is already well known. He is sparkling and shining. However, if you have never seen Matsuki's play live, you should definitely watch it at the stadium. He is a rising star in Tokyo, always moving and running well. He is also physically strong. Watching him play is refreshing and exciting, and his movements jump out at you. He always stands tall and runs on the pitch with good posture, making it impossible to look away from the stands. He is becoming increasingly important tactically, and by developing your eye for soccer, you will gain a deeper understanding of him as a player. He is perfect for those who want to enjoy the game in an easy-to-understand way, as well as for those who want to observe from an expert's perspective.
Versatile attacking ace in blue and red
The signboard attack. Adailton's powerful breakthrough, Leandro's technique that scored a super goal at the Japan National Stadium, Nagai Kensuke's explosive speed. In addition, this season, Konno Kazuya's unpredictable dribbling has also been added, but among them, the vice captain Diego Oliveira is the one I sincerely support. To be honest, he used to be a more inconsistent player, but he has been in Tokyo for a long time and his awareness and responsibility have increased, which has led to his dedication in every game. Diego's self-sacrificing play is even more impressive recently. I don't know, but he has always had a dilemma of not being able to become a winner even though he has been playing well, and now I feel a sense of sadness on his back. That's why his determination to "win" becomes more and more evident year by year. A versatile attacking ace in blue and red. In addition to his skilled and powerful play so far, Diego's soulful performance this season is also a must-see.
I have been writing on and on. One thing I can say for sure is that Tokyo this season has been providing a visibly enjoyable battle, different from the past few years. From the perspective of a fan and user, I personally feel that it is a very entertaining team with lots of movement from the ball and the players. And Albert's coach's SNS posts also play a role in bringing the team closer to everyone. In this interactive era, this sense of closeness is important.
On the board of an attacking style, a variety of casts dance. As the training level of the team organization increases, the individuality of the players becomes multiplication rather than addition, and that is the charm of Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's football. This season, it is exciting to see how far it will reach.
Finally, I have an important message that I want to convey to all of you. I will deliver it in the style of the nostalgic comedy show "Bakusho On Air Battle" that I just watched the other day.
"Creating a new Tokyo is... with the coaches, players, club staff, and heading towards Ajinomoto Stadium... it's all of you!"
Thank you for joining us until the end! See you again soon! (lol)
Text by Jun NISHIKAWA (Ergorasso)
