The results of the recent league matches have ended in 0-0 for two consecutive games. Looking only at the score, it may seem like both teams have been lacking decisive blows. However, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA expressed a sense of definite growth in words during the press conference after the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the previous round.
Although they fell just short in the finishing part, Tokyo maintained their style and created scenes that approached the Sapporo goal in a high-intensity and tactically high-level development.
Sapporo has played under coach Zoran PETROVIC for five seasons and has a high level of tactical maturity. Even against such an opponent, Tokyo did not fall behind. There were difficult moments until the end of the first half, but in the second half, they had longer ball possession and created multiple chances towards the end. In the final moments of the match, Adailton advanced deep into the penalty area and set up Kuryu MATSUKI, who dove in front of the goal. Although it just barely missed Matsuki, it was the highlight of the match.
The sixth match of the seven consecutive games in a packed schedule. It is Nagoya Grampus, led by former manager Kenta HASEGAWA, who managed Tokyo for about four seasons until the end of last season.
The tactical highlights are detailed in Kohei Baba's column. In the previous match, it seems they gained a tactical feel by adopting a new system against Kashima Antlers, making them a very formidable opponent.
Tokyo is adopting a new style and showing a rising growth curve, but the essence instilled during the era of former coach Masaru HASEGAWA is still evident in their soccer. The high-intensity pressing from the front line, the strength in duels, and the power and speed of counterattacks are all sources of Tokyo's growth, representing a fusion of the new style and the previous one.
Against an opponent who knows that essence, how much can we utilize the positional play, which is a characteristic of our new style, to gain an advantage in our positioning and progress the match? We have no intention of backing down in the intensity of the ball contests, but more than that, we want to leverage the features of our new style to break through the opponent with fast-paced passing and bring the joy of victory to our home, Ajinomoto Stadium.
