Q: How much progress has been made in the penetration of the new style?
A, I feel the response, and I think that the time I have the ball has become longer compared to last season, so I think the state after having the ball is gradually improving.
Q: I don't think it's that easy for the entire team to adapt while the style changes, but I feel that there is a sense of speed accompanying the changes that can be seen in the opening game. How do you feel as a player?
I think there will be wins and losses in a game, but I believe there is clear growth. Even when we suffer a little loss, I think there will be voices questioning "what's going on", but that's natural. I feel that it's meaningless if we don't continue to do it. I think we have no choice but to persevere and keep going.
Q, last season was used as a double volante, and this season it is being used as an anchor. How do you feel about the change in role within the difference in style?
A, there have been changes in both the formation and the coach, but even just changing the coach can greatly change the role, so I don't think it's simply because the formation has changed. I have a sense of doing the same thing last season, so if it becomes a discussion of why the coach and formation have changed and the players who are playing haven't changed much, I think it's because everyone is able to play while feeling it when the actual game starts.
Q, I think Aoki's position is a position that takes on both actions of doing what we want to do while reacting to the opponent's movements at the same time. How do you feel about the part of controlling the team while assessing the situation?
There are parts that have been prepared relatively well in practice, and there are also parts that are slightly different from what we have been doing in practice. However, I think we have been able to make adjustments during the game, and in the current situation, I feel that we have grown a lot in terms of bringing the ball from the back. I hope we can focus more on scoring goals.
Q, I think Matsumaki and Abe were moving around a lot. What kind of communication did you have with them?
A, that's also a feeling of trying to respond after entering the game. After all, it's a good story if you can be in that position, so no matter how much you move, it's fine if someone else is in that position, for example. The player in that position has a lot of physical activity and is aggressive both in attack and defense, so I feel like I'm focusing on maintaining that balance.
Q, I think that balance is difficult.
I am not sure if it is working somehow or not, but I am conscious of making the game go well.
Q, as we head into the second half, the challenge will be how many scoring opportunities we can create in the attacking zone and how much we can improve our accuracy. As for Aoki's position, what aspects do you think are involved in this challenge?
I think there are few opportunities to get involved in situations such as the final pass or shot in front of the goal, but it is a part that the players behind, including myself, have to do to increase those opportunities, so I hope we can increase the number of times we go forward and connect with the front.
Q, is it a play that connects to the front line and pushes up to recover second balls?
A, well. It's really detailed, but I think the opponent would also dislike it if we could attack multiple times when we push in. It would be great if we could continue to manage the risk and quickly take advantage of the situation, not just me but also the center back and side back. It's also important to switch between offense and defense, as well as the speed of switching between the front line players. Rather than being overwhelmed by carrying the ball from behind, it would be amazing if the whole team could think that far ahead.
Q, do you want to go to that phase in the second half?
A, of course I want to go fast. After all, I'm playing this soccer to win in the end. If I don't take it to win, it feels like there's no point in doing it.
