<Match Preview>
In the last match, we scored 6 goals against Kashiwa, tying the club record for the most goals in a J1 League match, and celebrated a victory in our first official game in three weeks. During the break, the players engaged in discussions and made detailed adjustments to their positions. The ability to dominate the match for extended periods in the first half is likely a result of those efforts.
Kazuya KONNO, who was involved in 2 goals, said, "We have progressed to a stage where we not only pass with one touch and two touches but also incorporate dribbling and ball retention. We are also getting better at distinguishing between when to make simple passes and when to dribble," reflecting the team's growing sense of cohesion.
This match will welcome Yokohama FM, who are competing for the top spot in the league, to Ajinomoto Stadium. It will be interesting to see how the confidence and playing style developed in the match against Kashiwa will hold up against a higher-ranked opponent. Kuryu MATSUKI, who scored the opening goal in the Kashiwa match, said, "The opponent plays a tactically established style of football, so it will be a very tough match. I believe we have also built a solid foundation, so we want to ride the momentum and win."
The goal is to defeat the top teams. It is the best opportunity for the players to unite and showcase the football they have built up until now.
The matchday program is available here
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: Yokohama FM is a top team, but will they be challenging?
A, I truly believe this match will be an exciting one. We do not have the mindset of just challenging. However, Yokohama FM is a more mature team, and we are a team that is just beginning to mature. From the perspective of a match between these two teams, I see it as a very attractive and interesting game. I also think it will be a match for our players to once again test the level they are at. Naturally, this is an opponent we must overcome, so I want our players to give it their all this time.
Q: I think Yokohama FM is highly motivated for this match after being eliminated from the ACL. I don't think there is any disadvantage for the opponent.
A, I believe it will definitely be an exciting match to watch. As I always say, the development and flow of the game can be greatly influenced by a single detail. Also, as I have been saying since the beginning of the season, our goal is to grow every day.
Q: Both teams have strong points in side attacks, so I think it depends on how well they can outperform each other there.
From a tactical perspective, I believe it will definitely be a match focused on battles along the flanks. However, match results and tactical maneuvers are not necessarily equal. There is a common tendency in the world to think that if you win a match, the tactics were correct, and if you lose, the tactics were incorrect. But the tactical aspect and the match result are never the same thing. That said, since both teams have strengths on the sides in this match, I think it is true that the game will be a battle along the flanks in that sense.
Q: Last time, the match took place when the team had not yet established a new style, but this time it will be a game after having built it up. Are you thinking of increasing the time you hold possession of the ball?
A, indeed time has passed. In that sense, the game plan has also changed, and this time we want to aim to keep possession of the ball. However, we don't know if that will go well, but we want to show proof of the team's growth. This season, it is very rare for us to have a lower possession rate than our opponents. However, in the match against Yokohama FM, we had a lower possession rate than them. It is very difficult to surpass an opponent with a high possession rate. Furthermore, they have been playing in this style for many years. Nevertheless, we want to aim to surpass them in possession rate.
Q: What is important to exceed the possession rate?
A, I believe we must keep our feet on the ground and move forward step by step. We are in a stage of continuous growth. That is where our focus lies. The opponent's high press is also one of their weapons. Whether we can properly break through that high press will test how much the team has grown. I think it will be a very exciting match.
[Player Interview]
Jakub SLOWIK>
Q: What preparations have you made for the match against Yokohama FM?
First, we focused on our own play and have been striving to prepare better. I think it will not be an easy game, but we want to play solidly to achieve a good result.
Q. I think the team has a good image after winning by a large margin in the previous match.
In the match against Kashiwa, we were able to score many goals in good form, and I believe the attacking players can approach the next Marinos game with confidence. Since the opponent will also be preparing countermeasures, we are thoroughly preparing with a solid game plan, so I think we can have a really good match and want to deliver good results to our fans and supporters.
Q: I think the soccer we are aiming for now places importance on build-up play starting from the goalkeeper.
A, as everyone knows, I believe our playing style has greatly improved and grown compared to the opening match. For me, this playing style is something that helps me grow personally as well. By seriously engaging in daily practice, both myself and the team will continue to grow, and we want to keep working together to achieve good results in the future.
Q. How do you analyze Yokohama FM? Are there any players you are paying attention to?
A, the opponent is an aggressive team. We believe it is very important for us to keep our defensive block more compact and defend. Every player is strong, but especially we want to organize our defense to suppress the attackers.
Q. What do you want to keep in mind for the match?
A, I am always prepared to perform well, so if I were to be greedy, I would want to stop every shot. I don't think the next match will be easy, but I want to do my best to contribute positively and help the entire team secure a victory.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: In the last match against Kashiwa Reysol, we won in a shootout with a score of 6-3. How do you reflect on that?
A, in the first half, we were able to move the ball and control the game according to our plan. However, since we conceded three goals in the second half, I think how we start the second half is one area for improvement.
Q: It was the first league match in three weeks, and I think the start was really good. Does that mean the preparations went well?
A, the opponent was a team in the upper ranks, so of course we were highly motivated. Moreover, from practice sessions, we could see the determination to "defeat the top teams," and I believe everyone maintained a high level of enthusiasm towards practice.
Q: The opening goal was your second goal of the season. You were waiting in the center for the cross, then took a back step and flowed to the far side. Did that movement come naturally to you?
A, I thought about intentionally disappearing from the opponent's field of vision, not naturally.
Q, it feels like the ball came just as I imagined it would.
A, that's right. However, the ball speed was faster than I expected, so I was doing my best just to keep up. I'm glad I was able to score successfully.
Q: Don't you feel more motivated because you were able to contribute to the victory?
A, it is a position that can ease the team by scoring goals, and although player Abe also scored, I think it is a plus for the team that the two shadow players are involved in scoring.
Q: About the goal performance. Was the Rainmaker performance of Okada Kazuchika (New Japan Pro-Wrestling) something you had thought about in advance?
Ah, yes, I was talking with the public relations person (laughs). I originally planned to do it standing up, but my butt hurt, so I ended up doing it while sitting.
Q: Do you plan to do something if you score a goal in the future?
A, I have liked that kind of celebration since high school. Of course, that's not the main goal, and first, I want to focus on scoring goals properly.
Q: Regarding this goal as well, it seems that there are more scenes where you enter the area and skillfully make your presence known. Do you feel that your play has changed compared to the beginning of the season?
A, compared to the first half of the season, it feels like there have been more such scenes.
Q, has your awareness changed, or has the team become more proactive?
A, I was hoping to be more involved in scoring myself, but it didn't go very well. There were many moments when the post was against me, and I often missed shots by a wide margin. I think I need to keep improving that in practice, but just like I was able to score in the match against Kashiwa, I believe my awareness of getting into the goal area has become much stronger.
Q: Although it is not yet the time to summarize the season, do you feel any sense of achievement from your play so far?
Playing the style of football under Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, I have learned a lot about possession, the positions to receive the ball, and how to engage with the ball. Although I still have a long way to go, there are many places where I don't need to run based on positioning, and I am currently learning to play football using my head throughout this season.
Q: If you have any points to watch out for or your enthusiasm regarding tomorrow's match against Yokohama F.Marinos, please share.
It will be a home game, and the opposing team is Yokohama F.Marinos, who are ranked higher than us, so we want to make sure we don't lose in spirit. Moreover, if we can run more than the opponent, compete firmly in challenges, and establish a foundation of fighting for every ball, I believe there is no team we cannot beat.
As we were able to demonstrate in the match against Kashiwa, we have built a solid foundation to some extent. Without becoming complacent, we want to approach the game with full focus.
And we hope that all fans and supporters will enjoy it.
