Peter CKLAMOVSKI, who took over in June, ultimately finished with a record of 7 wins, 3 draws, and 7 losses, ending in 11th place in the J1 League. The man entrusted with the reconstruction of the capital club summarizes the season.
A team that fans and supporters can be proud of and excited about
Q, please share your honest thoughts on the season as you have taken charge since the middle of this season.
A, there are various emotions. Since the beginning of my tenure, I have been able to showcase a good form. While shaping a strong foundation for the game model and the team, I believe we have been growing and developing strongly in various aspects. However, we still have a long way to go. There are areas where we need to evolve. We lost points in the matches at the end of the season, and I feel regret about that. We also feel a great pain in not being able to share joy with our fans and supporters. The various emotions stem from that. While we have shown good growth, I think there were also parts where we could not deliver results.
Q. Taking over mid-season must have been a very difficult task, but what was the first thing you thought you needed to address?
A, there was a reason why I took on the role midway through the season. Initially, after a few days of practice, we had a match against Nagoya Grampus coming up. We need to analyze ourselves while also considering Nagoya. I thought about how we want to develop the style of play we dream of, week by week. Although I took on the role in a complex situation, such challenges can arise throughout the season. What is necessary is for our football to grow and evolve steadily. I believe it is important to start from there. I couldn't narrow it down to just one topic. Of course, football doesn't change just by improving one aspect. I want to create a team that makes fans and supporters proud and excited when we step onto the pitch. That has been my focus.
Q: Among various challenges, is there something that Coach Klamovski has continuously communicated to the players?
A、In order to improve our game and play model, I believe we must consistently approach it every day without wavering. As a team and as individuals, we have discussed the need to commit to this daily. We have also established a strong foundation that we have gained to become a strong team. Of course, there are also clear areas for improvement.
Q: In the first half of the season, we conceded 26 goals, but in the second half after the appointment of Coach Klamovski, we managed to reduce that to 18 goals. The improvement in defense is reflected in the data, and I believe we were able to organize the team based on the decrease in the number of goals conceded.
A, I believe the players now have a clear image of the game model. Each player on the pitch has started to understand what they need to do individually while maintaining their connections with each other. I think these elements are one of the reasons we have improved. In the second half of the season, we have achieved the most clean sheets (tied with Albirex Niigata and Urawa Reds with 8 matches). I believe we have established an important foundation to become a strong team. I want to build on that further. Of course, it is also important to defend solidly and not give anything to the opponent. I also think we have been able to improve our attacking play and execute the style we want. We have become capable of scoring in the way we intend and creating many chances. We have been able to score a lot from open play as well.
I believe we have built an important foundation of steady progress and accumulation to create a special team. As a team, there are clear steps and visible growth. To become a team that opponents cannot stop, I think it is important to aim for that by firmly filling the gaps we desire and need to improve. I believe the strong foundation and buildup have been established since I took over mid-season. To become the kind of team that fans and supporters have dreamed of, it would be great if we can continue to build on that. That is my ambition and what I want to achieve.
To become a powerful team that no one can stop
Q: Looking back in detail, are there any matches that became turning points or left a lasting impression?
A, it’s a tough question, but there are different elements depending on the game that can be good or not so good. Sometimes we played powerfully, and there were matches where we controlled the game and scored very good goals. The matches against Sagan Tosu and Gamba Osaka were like that. However, even though we couldn’t play well in the match against Cerezo Osaka, we kept a clean sheet and secured an away victory. It was a tough situation, but we were able to achieve results ourselves. There were many games I liked as well. But the crucial thing is to consistently perform at that level. We must avoid fluctuations in form. I want us to always deliver our performance at a high level. Right now, our weakness is that we give the opponent some good periods of play. To become a strong team that no one can stop, and to become champions who take the trophy, we must fully show our play for the entire 95 minutes, including stoppage time. I believe this is an area we need to improve.
Q. The first half of the game against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo was very well played, but in the second half, it was as if the reins were let go and the flow of the game changed. It was exactly a game that revealed the points that need improvement now.
A, I think the same. I have shared this with the team. It was a game where we could have secured 3 points. The positive aspect was that we created many clear chances. I view that positively. I believe the players worked hard on the pitch, gave their all, and showed their strength. In attack, we used space well, made good runs, and played with good tempo. In a different match, we might have scored several goals from those opportunities. I think the key is whether we can maintain that form for the full 90 minutes. I was particularly concerned about the first 15 minutes after halftime. The performance level dropped. That was a period when we needed to be more aggressive and press the opponent more. This ties into the idea of maintaining our level without wavering or having ups and downs. I understand that this club’s hope, ambition, and goal to become champions are everyone’s ambitions and desires. We must fight the second half while keeping the same level as the first half. I hope we can instill that mentality and continue to grow.
Q. Each player has changed and grown. While I understand that the answer might be "All players are indispensable," are there any players you would say were not indispensable?
A, you know my answer (laughs). I hope that all 11 players I send onto the pitch will become players that no one can stop. That is the team I want to create. There are players who bring various flavors to the game. I believe that if we trust them, we can enhance each player's performance.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
