Approaching two attackers who are similar but different. The theme is "dribble".
When asked about his strengths in dribbling, Keita ENDO tilts his head and confidently swings vertically, while Kota TAWARATSUMIDA comes up with an answer that may resonate with some and be completely opposite for others. Despite both being left wingers, their ways of thinking are unique.
In the second part, we will discuss our favorite dribblers and tactics. The names that came up were Messi (Inter Miami) and Kaoru Misaka (Brighton & Hove Albion). Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who grew up watching Messi, and Keita ENDO, who respects his classmate, will talk about what dribbling means to them.
──Do you have any favorite dribblers or dribbling styles?
Tawarazumida I've been watching Messi since I was little. Isn't everyone's ideal Messi? (laughs).
Endo That's not true (laughs). Personally, I would say Kaoru Mitoma. He is the same age as me. If you watch Mitoma's dribbling, any young soccer player will definitely improve.
──Is there something special about Sanada that other professionals can't imitate?
Hiroshi ENDO That's not possible (laughs). I don't understand anymore. I can't stop and turn from a shooting motion and go vertically. Can't do it, right?
Tawarazumida I don't think I want to make that choice.
Hiroshi ENDO Yeah, that's right. Usually, players either go vertically or through the middle. Of course, there is technique, but more than that, they are able to use their body well. It's on a different level. After all, he's playing in the English Premier League.
──Is there a specific ideal style for both of you when you have the ball on the left side, even though Kaoru Misima is also a left side player?
Tawarazumi Daichi It's best to break through and score on your own. Last season, the goal I scored in the home game against Gamba Osaka (Sec. 29 of the 2023 Meiji Yasuda J1 League) was ideal. Even in my U-18 days, I used to do a lot of dribbling over long distances. In that situation, I wasn't thinking about scoring as soon as I got the ball, but I knew there was space, so I had already decided to make a dribble. Since my teammates weren't catching up, I decided to go all the way on my own.
Hiroshi Endo I value finishing with a cross or shot at the minimum. In Germany, due to my position, not losing the ball was the top priority, so now it has become ingrained in me. However, I believe I can change my mindset again. I think my dribbling sense has dulled a bit, but I think I can do well in Tokyo if I change my way of thinking.
Even if you tear apart multiple opponents on the side, in the end it is not the goal but the means. "Theorist" Keita ENDO and "sensationalist" Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. Even though they have different styles as dribblers, they both reach the same destination. For what purpose do these two continue to make attempts over and over again? It is to score a goal and lead the team to victory.
──Do you have a winning dribbling pattern within yourself?
Tawarazumida It's hard to express in words. Is it difficult?
Hiroshi ENDO There's no such thing as a surefire winning pattern (bitter laugh).
Tawarazumi Da I don't think there is an absolute in soccer, but I think the probability is high within myself. If you are a player who is good at dribbling like Keita-kun or myself, and you can take the lead in a 1-on-1 situation and there is space, I think the probability of breaking through is high. The way to break through is different for each person, but I think the probability of breaking through increases if you can make a good attempt.
Endo What is certainly important is how many situations can be created with a high probability of breaking through. After that, if I can take the first move and get ahead even half a step, I can create space and cross with my left foot. I think it's important to take the course of dribbling and create that angle. I'm not as fast as Tawara in terms of speed, so I think it's necessary to create angles.
Tawarazumida That's exactly what I'm working on right now, thinking that it's a challenge. It's about off-the-ball movement. If you can take the back instead of trying to get past yourself, you should just take it. There are various off-the-ball movements, such as pretending to go behind and receiving the ball at your feet, so I'm working on that challenge.
──Is there anything important you keep in mind when negotiating with your opponent?
Tawarazumi Ta As a personal challenge, I tend to dive in first. For example, I may try a few times vertically, and if the opponent starts to read it, I may go inside. However, I mostly do it by instinct, so it may be easier to understand if I ask Keita-kun (laughs).
Hiroshi ENDO I think a lot. There are players who are very cautious about the vertical and wait in a position to cover even if one is taken out, so I don't go vertically in such cases. If that happens, there should be space available for other players to use, so I try to use it for other players. I don't play by feeling too much (laughs).
──For both of you, what is "dribbling"?
Tawarazumida I think that I am a means to score and assist. Of course, it feels good to get past the opponent, but it feels even better to score a goal. However, I want to continue to be a player who specializes in dribbling. I hope to improve my speed, agility, and movements that stretch out, and to use dribbling effectively. There are still many challenges, so I think it would be great to continue to grow while improving them. My ideal is to combine dribbling and scoring.
Hiroshi Endo I think it would be great if dribbling could become one of the team's tactics. If my teammates understand it, I think passes will come at a good timing and the opponents will also see it as a threat. As Tawara also mentioned, dribbling is not the goal, but a means. I want to contribute to the team's title acquisition by utilizing this weapon.
First part is here
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
