Ryoma WATANABE, a perspective from the right side back. "I don't understand what it means to play good soccer and lose."
Behavior on the right side
After finishing the opening match against Kawasaki Frontale, we published an article on Soccer Magazine Web titled 'What the "Blue-Red Albert Revolution" Dreams of. What the "20%" we showed against Kawasaki F Indicates for the Future' in this column. Here is a little continuation of that.
I have been observing Albirex Niigata and writing about it in Niigata media for about six years, thanks to a mysterious connection. I have also enjoyed watching Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's two years in Niigata. Now, I have the opportunity to experience that enchanting football at FC Tokyo, which is truly a visual delight.
The above column mainly focuses on the behavior of the right side in the opening match. It discusses Leandro's movements, Kuryu Matsuki's intelligence, and the tasks of Ryoma Watanabe, who has been converted to right back.
During the press conference on the first day of practice, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA said, "If you bring a good wine, I'll tell you a secret." As I take on this column, I became eager to hear more about the tactics he incorporated on the right side, and I thought about bringing a bottle from Bordeaux as a contribution. However, given the current times, I decided to save it for another occasion when I might want to ask a different secret.
I would like to think a little about the meaning of "Ryoma WATANABE," which I couldn't elaborate on in the above column (by the way, he also used to play in Niigata).
The Third Man
Ryoma WATANABE is an attacking midfielder who played a central role in the U-17 Japan national team at the 2013 U-17 World Cup, was a runner-up in the National High School Soccer Championship with Maebashi Ikuei High School, and has a career that includes a stint at Ingolstadt in Germany. Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is considering utilizing his unique qualities, which combine abundant stamina and solid skills, by converting him to a full-back, and has been testing this during the Okinawa camp.
In the opening match, without needing to borrow the words of Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the early stages were unsettled, but gradually we pushed back Kawasaki Frontale and created chances multiple times. Ryoma WATANABE started as a right back and was the only player among the eleven given a role different from his original position.
"I felt a bit flustered at the beginning, but it was within my expectations. So, I don't have any regrets about that," Ryoma WATANABE reflects calmly. "Once that period was over, we gradually started to play our football, which carried into the second half. Therefore, I don't think there was anything to be pessimistic about overall," he adds.
In fact, in the early stages, Ryoma WATANABE was repeatedly breached from behind. Kawasaki Frontale's left winger is the speedy MARCINHO. He is a dribbler who even struggles to deal with a "genuine full-back." He mentioned, "I had played in a hurry before, but it was the first time I properly entered as a full-back," indicating that "putting a burden on him was within expectations." Instead of feeling anxious about being caught from behind, being able to prepare for it as one of the possibilities and switch on the pitch is a reflection of this person's strong mentality.
On the other hand, regarding the attack, he asserts, "If I can't attack, there is no meaning for me to be here." On the right side, when Leandro moves towards the center, Matsuki goes outside, and when Leandro goes outside, Matsuki moves to the center, progressing with the tempo initiated by Leandro. However, this alone is not enough to break down Kawasaki Frontale. Therefore, number 23 will get involved as the "third man."
17th minute, 36th minute, 39th minute
It is believed that Ryoma WATANABE was converted to a side back because his technical skills are necessary to maintain ball possession (this is one of the secrets I want to ask Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA!). To ensure the ball is carried effectively, he prefers to use technically skilled players in the final line. This is what Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has been practicing at Albirex Niigata.
If we only consider defense, MARCINHO's breakthrough ability and Ryoma WATANABE's defensive skills are mismatched. However, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has maintained a style of challenging with the way they aim to play over the past two years. While we cannot directly compare FC Tokyo and Albirex Niigata, it is understandable that they have reinforced their center backs with players like Yasuki KIMOTO and Henrique TREVISAN, who can effectively kick the ball.
In attack, there are mainly three scenes that showcased Ryoma WATANABE's potential as a side back. The 17th and 36th minutes were identical, as he anticipated the ball coming from the left to Leandro in the center, and at the perfect timing, he smoothly ran into the open space on the right.
<17-minute scene>
Scene at 36 minutes
Another instance is around the 39th minute. Leandro took width, and Ryoma Watanabe sprinted inside to enter his original attacking position, while Kuryu Matsuki positioned himself lower to support the two. Kuryu Matsuki revealed after the match, "Ryoma and I have been discussing where to go and where not to go defensively since camp," indicating that this rotation was a result of their communication.
Scene at 39 minutes
"It was against Kawasaki, but there are many areas where we need to do more. There are many things we need to confirm, but I had already anticipated that." This was the statement after 56 minutes. Yuto NAGATOMO left the pitch, and this marked the end of his first step as a 'technical side back'.
(By the way, one of the secrets I would like to hear about is Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's decision to use the left back of the Japan national team as a right back.)
Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA tightly embraced Ryoma WATANABE's head in front of the bench.
Ryoma WATANABE is positive.
"I believe this is soccer that aims to achieve results. It's not enough to say, 'It's okay because we're doing well, even if we didn't get results.' I think that mindset should end here. From now on, I believe it will change to, 'We're playing good soccer because we won.' Losing while playing good soccer doesn't make sense, right? We must not forget that good soccer is defined by winning."
Soccer to win. The use of Ryoma WATANABE as a right back is also a conversion for the purpose of winning. I feel like I understood this secret even without sending a bottle of wine.
Text by Taiga HIRASAWA (Soccer Magazine Web)
