<Ryoya OGAWA>
Q: Is there progress in understanding the football that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA aims for?
A, I think it has been deepening both personally and as a team, but I still don't think it is enough. Even in today's match, there were parts that went well and parts that didn't go well, and I personally feel that there were more parts that didn't go well.
Q: What areas would you like to improve during the second camp in Itoman?
As the coach also mentioned, our team loses possession of the ball too often during attacks. What we are trying to do from now on is not to retreat and rest during defense, but to maintain possession of the ball and rest, which is the style of play the coach is aiming for. If we lose the ball immediately, we won't have the stamina to last, so we want to value possession more. Also, in defense, the way we apply pressure is different from what we have done before, so there are inevitably areas where our positioning is off or spaces open up. We need to work closely with each other to refine these aspects.
Q: On the left side, Ogawa was making good chances by running up from the inside of Adailton, but isn't he grasping the timing for the inner lap?
A, with Adailton, we are very conscious of one of us pressing while the other stays inside, so that we are not in the same lane. We have called out to each other in situations where I take up width, and I have also been able to move inside to shift the opponent's marking, so I think our combination is deepening there.
Q: I think that playing inside will increase the opportunities to be involved in the buildup more than before.
A, I am not bad at it, and I don't think that being a fullback nowadays is just about staying wide and crossing the ball. I want to be involved in building up play, move inside more and more, and actively engage with the ball.
Q: As a full-back, is there still room for growth in your football skills?
A, including myself, I believe that if all the players at FC Tokyo thoroughly pursue this style of soccer, they will definitely improve.
Q: Since joining, Nagatomo has had opportunities to play on the right side, but is the left side still his main battlefield?
A, that's right. I had hardly ever played on the right side. However, when I played as a right side back, I had many opportunities to play inside, so even when I returned to the left, I feel like I play inside, which I think is partly thanks to having played on the right side as well.
<Hotaka NAKAMURA>
Q: The first training camp is coming to an end. Please tell us about your understanding of soccer under Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA and the appeal you personally feel.
A, I can understand a lot in my head from explanations on the board and such, but during practice we adjust that, and everyone, including myself, is going through trial and error. I can understand it mentally, but in actual game situations, there are irregularities and we do concede goals. However, I think that is expected both personally and as a team, so good material is coming out as we work to internalize it. I hope we can carry this forward into the second camp.
Q: I think Nakamura is quick to understand when adjusting his position according to the positioning of the surrounding players. How do you feel about that?
A. During the first practical match, I had no choice but to stay wide due to my relationship with the surrounding players, so I think it was different from what was expected of me. Since then, we have made adjustments in meetings and have been experimenting. Even today, it was not necessarily functioning well, so I believe there is room for improvement if the team discusses the irregularities that came up here. I think the more challenges we face, the more we can grow.
Q: How is the training content?
A, it's fun, or rather... of course, the basic soccer skills are necessary, but it's like playing soccer with your head; your mind really gets tired. Everyone is skilled, so the game moves quickly, but for me, both technically and mentally, I have to be fully engaged, and even then, I still make mistakes. It's only been about 10 days since it started, and the coach has told me this as well, but I believe that how much soul you put into each and every ball can change your growth curve, so I take it positively.
Q: I think there haven't been many opportunities to play inside until now, but that also means there is room for growth, right?
A, I think this is an ability that becomes necessary to move up one or two levels. If I remained unaware of this, I believe I would have become a player relying solely on physical ability and fighting spirit. If I can combine my current abilities with the skills demanded by Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, I believe there is a possibility to advance individually. It won't be easy immediately, but I want to gradually integrate this into my abilities.
