[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, How is the selection of center backs going for the Fukuoka match?
There was a comment on SNS expressing a desire for Renta HIGASHI. He is one of the options, but since he is injured, he cannot be included in the calculations this time. However, there are other options and I am not worried because I believe there is a solution and it will work out well.
Q, how is the analysis of Fukuoka?
A, In the season when Fukuoka finally achieved promotion to J1, they played against Niigata and I saw firsthand how they changed their direction as a club. In the middle of the 2020 season, they changed their coach and focused more on aggressive defense, which led to an increase in points. They have continued to strengthen their team with players who fit their style of play, and have assembled a front line of players who are skilled in counterattacks and set pieces. I think they were also good last season. I think it is difficult for any team to play against a team that has a strong defense like theirs. In that sense, this will be one of the most challenging matches of the season. Although our preparation period was short, we have made sure that our players are aware of the difficulty and importance of this match. Even one mistake could be exploited, so we naturally want to express our attacking strengths in tomorrow's match. I think Fukuoka has a mentality that is focused on winning. We also want to continue to play with a mentality focused on winning from the beginning of this season, and we want to express a winning mentality that surpasses theirs.
Q, I think that the number of J-League clubs that have changed direction has increased since 2-3 years ago, but Tokyo is starting this year. Although we are latecomers, do you feel like we are catching up rapidly?
A, of course, everyone has their own preferences, but I think every play style is worthy of evaluation. However, when considering the framework of youth development, I think soccer that does not value the ball is inappropriate. On the other hand, in the professional world where winning is important, I think every play style has value. First of all, as a club, it is necessary to analyze what kind of play the fans and supporters are expecting and evaluating. If the expected play becomes clear, then any play style is acceptable. However, I think it is important for the club to stick to a play style that is in line with the club's direction, and it is not effective to be forced to change based on game results.
For example, I don't think it's accurate to say that Fukuoka will change their playing style from this season to the next just because things aren't going well. If the fans and supporters have a clear understanding of the playing style they expect, then I believe it's more accurate to stick to that style and bring in a coach and players who fit that style to improve the overall level. We tried the same thing in Niigata. And I'm proud that they are still continuing in the same direction.
Tokyo has changed its steering to a new playing style this season. If that playing style is what the club aims for, I think it is accurate to say that the coach, whether it is me or another coach, will stick to the same direction. The playing style I expect is clear. However, considering the team composition this season with many players who have been playing since last season, I do not think it is accurate to drastically change the playing style. I think it is accurate to gradually transition the playing style while utilizing the characteristics of the existing players.The ideal for this year is to bring out the strengths of the current players and fight, and when new players join next season, we will move on to the next stage. In any case, I think it is inevitable that the strengths of each player in front of us will affect the team's playing style, regardless of what playing style it is.
Q, I think you were trying out various positions before the opening, were you trying out players?
A, of course, we tried it and based on the opponent team, we thought about how to play the game and placed the players in the right positions. Even in the same game, the cards we should play and the positions of the players on the pitch may change depending on the flow of the game. As a coach, having various options at that time is a plus, so I want to continue trying various things in that sense.
[Player Interview]
Ryoya OGAWA
Q, we have a game in 3 days, but we can defeat Gamba Osaka and fight in a positive state.
I think the victory against Gamba Osaka was significant. It allowed us to climb up in the rankings and gave us confidence as a team. More than 40,000 fans and supporters came to the new Japan National Stadium, and the entrance ceremony was amazing. I don't think there was a player who couldn't get motivated to play in that situation. On the other hand, I also think that we were able to win thanks to that. That's why the next game will be crucial, and we need to maintain our high motivation so that we don't end with just winning at the National Stadium.
Q, I think we can always create several scoring opportunities, but if we can't convert even one of them into a goal, we won't get the results we want.
When we played against Fukuoka in the Levain Cup, we had a lot of possession and played a good game. However, we ended up losing because we couldn't convert our chances into goals. In the upcoming league matches, it's important for us to not miss our chances. I believe we will have several opportunities to score, but we need to make sure we convert as many as possible into goals. I think we will have a lot of possession in the next game as well, so we need to stay focused and make sure we score and win.
Q, If you hold the ball for a long time, the opponent can solidify their defense and you may end up just being held. In that situation, is it because Tokyo as a team has a common understanding of when to switch to attack while building up from the back?
There are definitely moments when we turn on the switch. Even if the opponent is defending by pulling back (in that state), we cannot take the ball, so there are times when we come to defend from the front. We try not to miss that moment. Even when we pass the ball slowly from the back, the opponent's defense does not break. If we use a pass that jumps over one person or speed up the pass speed of each person, the opponent cannot catch up with the slide and there are scenes where gaps occur. I want to aim for those moments without missing them.
Q, Do you have a sense of being able to negotiate with the opponent even with just one pass speed?
A, I think it will be necessary to have a passing game or a pass that will lure the opponent in the future, and there are still some areas that need improvement, but I think the team is gradually taking shape.
Q, I think that entering the space in the center from the position of the side back is the key point of attack in today's soccer style. Is the timing and required role clearly visible?
Since coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA started playing football, the biggest change has been that the fullbacks are increasingly involved in the attack by moving inside. Although I am still not used to it, it is not strange that fullbacks are becoming the starting point of the attack and it has become common for them to play inside even overseas. We are aware that we need to make the fullbacks more involved in creating the game.
Q, What is your strategy for dealing with players like Fanma and Lukian, who have a tall stature and strong physicality, on the Fukuoka team?
A, there is a strong forward in the front line. Fukuoka has an image of kicking the ball roughly to the front line and picking up the second ball, so I think the flow of the game will change depending on how we can crush that and not let the opponent keep the ball and pick up the second ball ourselves. As a defender, I want to crush (chances) as much as possible so as not to lose to the target forwards.
Q, it's also important to limit the instructions from behind and not let them kick easily.
A, It is also important to prepare in advance. We want to respond by raising the line when the front line presses up without stretching the formation against the team that kicks, and we also want to respond firmly to the team that comes in with a lot of cross balls.
