<Albert PUIG ORTONEDA>
Q: Please tell us about the thoughts written on the ema.
A, as a value in my life, I believe that the only and most important thing we humans can ask of any religious deity is health. As for everything else, I think each person must make their own efforts. Being righteous as a person, continuously striving, and cherishing those close to us—every religion asks us to value the people around us. However, there are parts we can control and parts we cannot. Our own health is something we cannot control by ourselves. If gods do exist, I sincerely want to pray to all of them to grant me health. I want to ask the gods to allow me to live a better, healthier, and longer life. Everyone probably asks the gods to win titles, but if every team asks the gods for titles, it would cause conflicts among the gods. That should be avoided, shouldn't it? It would lead to a war among the gods. Therefore, I do not ask for victory or titles. I want to pray to the gods for the health of myself and everyone involved with the team. For everything else, I want to continue making steady efforts.
Q: Have there been any prayers for victory at other teams?
A. In my country, there are many Catholics, and similar to Japan, there is a custom where players and staff visit a church at the start of the season to pray for health and safety. When I served as the Academy Director of FC Barcelona, at the beginning of the season, all players and staff from every category of the academy would visit a church called Montserrat, located deep in the mountains of Catalonia. There is a wonderful children's choir there, so we listen to their beautiful singing and pray for health and safety. Although there are various religions depending on the region, similar customs exist in all religions, and in that sense, I believe all humanity is fundamentally the same.
Q: This is your second season as a coach. How has the team's maturity progressed through the camp?
A, things are progressing smoothly just as I expected. By leveraging the foundation we built up last season, I have a feeling we can get off to a better start. Our goal for this season is to consistently deliver good play and good results in a stable manner, along with the style that is now becoming established. Also, I want to instill a winner's mentality focused on competing throughout the entire club. Once that is firmly established, I believe we will be able to achieve great success in the not-too-distant future. In any case, there is no doubt that we are moving in a positive direction. However, moving in a positive direction does not mean we can win the league. Please do not misunderstand that. Regarding the championship, I neither guarantee it nor wish to comment. I only guarantee that we will continue to fight with a strong determination to win every single match in front of us.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: Do you feel that the season is finally starting when you come to pray for victory?
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we always came to Meiji Jingu together around this time, so I am happy that all the players could come together like this for the first time in several years.
Q: It was written on the ema that you hope for a year without injuries, but are you still concerned about injuries?
Since it involves praying to God, there are times when injuries are beyond our control, so we ask for help there. As for the results of the soccer matches, they depend on us, so we want to earn those victories ourselves.
Q: How do you want to spend this season as a team?
A, of course we aim to win the championship, and to achieve that, we must win every match. I believe it is about how much we can fight without losing to ourselves in each game, so I want the team to consistently perform steadily throughout the year.
Q: How do you feel as an individual?
As an individual, I believe that if I can stay injury-free and perform well, I can play at 100 percent for the entire year, so I want to prepare thoroughly and do my best.
Q: How is the team's maturity during Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's second season through the camp?
A, this season we are focusing more on quality and building up the finer details. During the camp, we were able to clearly identify our strengths and weaknesses, so I believe it is important to rigorously apply this to ourselves throughout the entire season.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for this season.
A, anyway, if everyone can give 100% effort throughout the entire season, I believe we can definitely compete for the championship and reach the title. First, we want to firmly spend each day at 100%, putting pressure on ourselves as we move forward.
Q: This year is my year, but what do you think about being able to play soccer at that age?
A, I still believe I can do more, and I want to make this the year to leap forward, the Year of the Rabbit.
Q: Shinji KAGAWA has returned to Cerezo Osaka. How do you feel about the return of players from the same generation to the J-League?
A, first of all, I am honestly happy that you have returned to the J.League, and I want to help liven up the J.League together. However, he is a player who is unpleasant to face, so I have always understood his characteristics and greatness, and I want to suppress that. I am really looking forward to the match.
Q: This is your second year as a professional, how has your personal growth been over the past 12 years?
A, 12 years ago, I was 24 years old, but I don't think it was a very good age. However, as I have grown older and experienced many things, I want to show that as a result.
Q, by the way, it was the season we won the J2 League 12 years ago.
Ah, the season when we won the J2 championship. Yes, I think that year was good. We wanted to win the championship for the first time in 12 years.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: The J-League is finally starting, how do you feel after completing your prayer for victory?
Starting from the camp, we have been preparing up to this point, and now we are just two weeks away from the opening. It was my first time praying for victory since turning professional, and I hope to sincerely ask the gods here to have a great season.
Q: It was written on the ema that you want to "win." What do you want to win against?
A, not only the matches but also the one-on-one situations in front of me and various other moments, I wrote this because I wanted to cherish the meaning of winning in those situations this year.
Q: I believe there were matches where you played as a starter during the camp, but how do you feel about your performance throughout the camp?
A, in terms of results, I was able to provide several assists in matches, and I think I was recognized for that and given opportunities to play in the first team several times, which I believe was good. However, in the same position, there are top-level players gathered, and those players are also producing results, so I really don't know if I can play until the very end. I want to keep striving for results and make my appeal until the season opener.
Q: Do you have specific goals as an individual?
A, my personal goal is that last season in the J.League I had 1 goal and 2 assists, but personally, I have always wanted to increase the number of goals and assists compared to last season.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for this season.
As I wrote on the ema, I want to give my all in every single match in front of me, winning personal battles and aiming for more victories for the team, so that we can finish with good results. I want to start the season with the gear at max and keep pushing forward.
Q: With the Paris Olympic generation and the second qualifying round for the World Cup, what are your thoughts on the national team?
A, I was able to go on overseas expeditions last season as well, and if the team achieves results, I believe I will be called up. If I can play well with the team, I think I can also play for the national team, so the most important thing is the team. First, I want to deliver results with the team, have the coach see that, and if called up, I want to give my best effort.
Q: Did you have any feelings after watching last year's Qatar World Cup?
A, the World Cup I watched when I was little felt like a distant event, but seeing Nagatomo, who always played in the same position with me, performing on that stage was amazing. I realized that I have to surpass Nagatomo to stand on that stage, and that has become a standard for me. It was very inspiring.
Q: The accuracy of your crosses has improved significantly, and I believe you mentioned wanting to make that a weapon. How do you feel about your current progress?
A, last season, the accuracy of crosses gradually improved, and they started to connect well with players moving inside, creating several chances. Including the camp period, I feel my sense has also improved, so I want to refine that further and aim to contribute assists and goals this season.
