[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: Tomorrow's match will mark the 100th match of your coaching career in Japan. Does that mean that even a single official match is not just a game?
A has experienced 60 professional games as a head coach in New York, and tomorrow will be his 100th game as the manager of the top team. When asked if tomorrow is something special because of this, the answer is no. However, personally, I believe it will be a very memorable match for me.
Q: I think players are required to kick the ball strongly and quickly while maintaining a certain distance from each other. It seems that the players are making an effort, what do you think?
If you analyze the match against Nagoya in Group A, I think you will see that we controlled the opponent for much of the game. I am working to utilize the unique characteristics of each player. Based on that, we are gradually going through a process of changing the players' playing styles step by step. Aoki has made a wonderful contribution. However, he is not necessarily the kind of player who can do everything as a clear single defensive midfielder. The two center backs are not players who have consistently built up play from the back; they are center backs who had a different playing style until last season. The fullbacks are players who have not been required to receive the ball next to the defensive midfielder. I also think Kubá (SLOWIK) has not frequently joined the attack. While making use of the characteristics of such players, we are seeking match results and gradually advancing the team's reform.
Leandro's return will surely provide an added value to the team. The same goes for Kashif BANGNAGANDE's return. There are several players worth watching, including Renta HIGASHI. Ryoma Watanabe is also showing good growth. We are fostering the development of players who will carry the future of the team. However, balancing growth while achieving match results is not easy. There is a clear difference in play speed compared to three months ago. It is getting faster and faster. Gradually, good plays are emerging in positional games. Applying what we can do in practice to matches will be the next step. It is gradually becoming noticeable in matches, and naturally, both play speed and passing speed are increasing.
Q: Previously, you mentioned that a good pass sounds good. Is that one of the criteria for improvement?
A. The quality of a player's play is influenced much more before receiving the ball than after. Many players can look around and think after receiving the ball. However, the play we seek is much faster, so if you think after receiving the ball, the play speed will drop. To maintain a high play speed, you must recognize many things and make decisions before receiving the ball. If you can do this properly, it will create a situation where the opposing team has no way to defend. For example, in a 100m race, if you can start anytime rather than all at once, the one who starts earlier wins. There is a possibility of being overtaken in the subsequent speed battle, but starting first means you are expected to win immediately after. In soccer, without a fixed start signal, the brain makes decisions and tactics, and if you win that, you hold the initiative; if you have the ball, winning is natural. We must level up like this, focus on winning, and accumulate points.
Japan must improve more in that area. The speed of judgment and the mentality of being particular about competition are crucial. If an 18-year-old player like Renta HIGASHI were in Europe, he would be gaining experience in a much higher level of competitive world. The same can be said for South America. Under circumstances where many competitions are unavoidable, players gain a lot of experience both domestically and in international tournaments. Of course, I respect Japan, but how many high-level matches has Renta HIGASHI really played in the past year where he had to be particular about competition? Young players in South America and Europe have experienced dozens of matches. This creates a gap in growth.
Nagatomo is one of the few Japanese players who have continued to perform at a high level in Europe. I don't think Nagatomo's technical skills are particularly outstanding. So why has he been able to compete at the top level for such a long time? There are probably many players in Japan with higher technical skills than him. However, why can't those players continue to succeed in Europe, creating a gap? It is because Nagatomo has a strong mentality and a winner's mindset that focuses on competition.After the Belgium match at the Russia World Cup, many people commented that Japan is pure and polite, does not complain to referees, and even cleans the locker room before leaving. This is wonderful. In life, Japanese behavior is truly exemplary. However, having only such a pure mentality makes it difficult to achieve something at a high level. A competitive mentality is necessary. Improving both the speed of situational judgment and the competitive mentality is what Japanese football needs, isn't it?
Q: Are you looking forward to the young players tomorrow as well?
A, I want to continue giving young players opportunities, and I want to provide playing time to players who need it to maintain their match fitness. Especially for young players, I want to give them chances to properly showcase their talents. While maintaining a good balance there, I want to compete in the Levain Cup.
Q: Please tell us your evaluation of player Takahagi's response to the interview.
A, he is truly wonderful, a veteran player who serves as a role model for young players and provides them with a sense of calm. This applies both mentally and in terms of football skills. And he really has amazing technique. I wish I had met him when he was 20 years old. He is an outstanding player. In addition, he is a fantastic professional. His behavior both on and off the pitch is truly perfect.
[Player Interview]
＜Yojiro TAKAHAGI＞
Q: I think this season you will often be used in an attacking position, close to forward. It seems like a position that requires speed, and I believe the coach's choice to use players who are skilled with their feet carries a message. How do you feel about that role?
Rather than focusing on a specific role, I am conscious of contributing to the team with what I can do. Of course, there are tactical aspects the team must follow, such as taking appropriate positioning. Since it is difficult to become faster, I hope to bring out qualities in my play that other players do not have.
Q: The team has been in a 0-0 match and we want to score. I believe (Takahagi) can utilize individual skills while effectively executing team tactics, but what aspects do you want to leverage to turn that into goals?
A, while firmly maintaining possession of the ball, I believe we are expected not just to keep possession but to make decisive passes at some point. I want to play with the awareness to be able to make many such passes during the match.
Q: Even if it goes as planned, it doesn't mean it will succeed, so you want to increase the number of chances, right?
A, I want to create many decisive scenes.
Q, I am also looking forward to the goals.
A, since I am in an attacking position, I want to play in a way that involves as many goals as possible.
Q: It is expected that Iwata will use a five-back formation. How will you respond to that?
A, I think they will form a defensive block and defend. In our previous match, they did not press from the front line, so I want to position myself between the opponents, creating situations where they have to slide defensively, while also making runs to target the space behind their defensive line against a withdrawn defense.
Q: If you don't have the awareness to move forward, the opponent won't break down, right?
A, yes. I want to position myself so that vertical passes can be properly received.
Q: Do you feel that you can adapt to this football if you bring out what you have done so far?
In attack, I can get involved with my own play and I think I can also add some variation. In defense, I believe intensity is required, so I think it’s important to be conscious of that while playing.
Q: I think it is important in the soccer we are currently working on to intentionally create space. What is necessary for that?
As the coach also mentioned, in football known as positional play, if you can take positions that trouble the opponent with your positioning, the opponent will have to slide and will not be able to come to steal the ball. I want to take such positioning.
Q: What are the factors that contribute to the team being well-coordinated? Is it because we continue to work without rushing?
A, I think that is also true. However, I believe it is not easy to fully implement a tactic. I think it is important to continue patiently.
Q: What are your thoughts and enthusiasm for tomorrow's match?
A, since losing means elimination, we just have to win. As a team, we play to win in order to advance to the next stage. We focus solely on giving 100% and playing with the mindset of what we can do to achieve that.
Q: Is it important to continue winning in order to create a place to showcase yourself as a player like Takahagi?
Even if we play well, nothing changes unless we win, so I want to win, produce results, and break into the competition within the team.
