Ryoma WATANABE, looking from the right side back. "I don't understand the meaning of playing good soccer and losing" - his innocence.
Behavior on the right side
After finishing the opening match against Kawasaki Frontale, Soccer Magazine Web published a column titled "The Dream Depicted by the 'Blue and Red Albert Revolution'. What the '20%' Current Position Shown Against Kawasaki F Reveals for the Future" column. Here, we will continue a little more.
For about 6 years now, I have been observing Albirex Niigata and writing about them in Niigata's media, thanks to a mysterious connection. I have also enjoyed watching Albert Puig Ortoneda's 2 years in Niigata. And now, I am able to experience that bewitching football even at FC Tokyo. What a treat for the eyes.
The above column mainly focuses on the performance of the right side in the opening game. It covers Leandro's movements, Matsuki Kuryu's intelligence, and the tasks of Ryoma WATANABE, who has been converted to a right-back.
At the press conference on the first day of practice, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA said, "If you bring me a delicious wine, I'll tell you my secret." When I was assigned to write this column, I became curious about the trick he incorporated on the right side and thought about bringing a bottle of Bordeaux as a gift. However, these are difficult times. I decided to save it for when I want to hear another secret.
In the above column, I would like to take a moment to think about the meaning of "Ryoma WATANABE" that I couldn't touch on in detail (by the way, he used to play in Niigata).
The Third Man
Ryoma WATANABE is an attacking midfielder with a career that includes being a key player for the U-17 Japan national team at the 2013 U-17 World Cup, finishing as runner-up in the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament with Maebashi Ikuei High School, and playing for Ingolstadt in Germany. Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has been trying to utilize his unique combination of high energy and solid technique by converting him into a fullback during the team's training camp in Okinawa.
The opening game, to borrow the words of coach Albert, lacked composure in the beginning, but gradually pushed back Kawasaki Frontale and created numerous chances. Ryoma WATANABE started as a right back and was the only player given a role different from his original position among the 11 players.
"I had the impression that we were struggling in the beginning, but it was within my expectations. So, I don't have any regrets about that," Ryoma WATANABE calmly reflects. "As the game went on, we were able to gradually play our style of football and it led to the second half. So, overall, I don't think there was anything to be pessimistic about," he adds.
In fact, in the early stages, Ryoma WATANABE's back was broken several times. Kawasaki Frontale's left wing is the speedy MARCINHO. He is a dribbler who even struggles against "pure fullbacks". He says, "I had played suddenly before, but it was my first time to enter as a fullback," so it was "expected to be a burden". Instead of feeling anxious when his back is taken, it is a strong mentality that he can switch on the pitch as one of the possibilities, which is unique to him.
On the other hand, when it comes to attack, Leandro declares, "If I can't attack, there's no point in me being here." On the right side, if Leandro moves towards the center, Matsuki will move outwards, and if Leandro moves outwards, Matsuki will move towards the center, and they will continue to progress at a "Leandro-triggered" tempo. However, this alone is not enough to break through Kawasaki F. That's where number 23 comes in as the "third man".
17 minutes, 36 minutes, 39 minutes
The reason why Ryoma WATANABE was converted to a side back in the first place is because his technical skills are necessary to possess the ball (this is one of the secrets I want to ask coach Albert about!). In order to reliably carry the ball, it is preferred to use players with high technical abilities in the final line. This is what coach Albert has been practicing at Albirex Niigata.
In terms of defense, Marcinho's breakthrough power and Ryoma Watanabe's defensive technique are a mismatch. However, coach Albert has always approached the game with the style that his team aims for in the past two years. While it is not possible to directly compare FC Tokyo and Albirex Niigata, it is understandable that they reinforced their center-backs with players like Yasuki Kimoto and Henrique Trevisan who can kick the ball well.
In attack, there were mainly three scenes that showed the potential of Ryoma WATANABE as a side back. In the 17th and 36th minutes, he predicted the ball would go to Leandro in the center from the left, and ran into the right open space at the perfect timing.
<17-minute scene>
<36-minute scene>
One more thing is the position around 39 minutes. Leandro takes the width, Ryoma WATANABE runs through the inside and enters the original attacking position, and Kuryu MATSUKI set up in a low position to support the two. MATSUKI said after the game, "We have been discussing where to go and where not to go in defense since the camp," so this rotation seems to be the result of communication.
<39-minute scene>
"It was against Kawasaki, but there are still many things we need to do. There are many things we need to confirm, but I have already anticipated them," said Yuto NAGATOMO in the 56 minutes. He left the pitch, and the first step as a "skillful full-back" ended like this.
(By the way, one of the secrets I would like to hear is the decision of coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA to use the left back of the Japan national team as a right back.)
Coach Albert tightly embraced Ryoma WATANABE's head in front of the bench.
Ryoma WATANABE is positive.
"I think this is football to get results. Even though the results didn't come, I think it's okay because things are going well. But I think that's the end of it. From now on, I think it will change to "we are playing good football because we won". It doesn't make sense to play good football and lose. We must not forget that the order is "we play good football because we win"."
Soccer to win. Ryoma WATANABE's right back placement is also a conversion to win, so that's why. I feel like I understand this secret even without giving wine.
Text by Taiga HIRASAWA (Soccer Magazine Web)
