Q, Is this your first season since transferring? Do you feel like you have been able to blend in with the team?
A, yes. When I transferred last time, it took me a while to fit in, so I was worried, but my senior from university, Kensuke, was there and he helped me fit in really well from the training camp, so I think I've been able to fit into the team so far.
Q, Was positional play something you experienced for the first time as a member of the team, Kimoto?
During my time at Cerezo, I was coached by LOTINA and he taught me positional play. So, rather than being fixated on a specific position, I think I am able to play smoothly because LOTINA was more focused on positions.
Q, How does player Kimoto express positional play working with coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA?
A, it's difficult, but I never forget to aim for the goal while valuing the pole, and in defense, it's a soccer that aggressively goes to the front line and tries to hold the ball for as long as possible, so in both offense and defense, we have to raise the level to get closer to the ideal soccer, and I still think it's far from it.
Q, Looking back at this point, what stage do you think the team is at in terms of the vision for the football you want to play?
A, Some games are able to be played and some are not, but I think the awareness of valuing the ball has changed a lot since the start of the season, even though it may not show in the results. In terms of numbers, the possession rate has increased significantly. In that sense, I think we are conscious of valuing the ball more.
Q, There was also an evaluation that coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA and the team have moved on to the next phase. I think it shows that the possession rate has increased, but do you feel any difficulties towards the end of the first half?
A, Soccer is not a sport where possession rate directly leads to results, so there are games where we lose even with a high possession rate, and there are also times when we win without having possession of the ball. In that sense, in the beginning of the first half, we were able to make adjustments while having a lot of possession time, but recently, even though we have possession of the ball, we have a hard time scoring and end up conceding goals from counter attacks, resulting in losing points. It is difficult, but the soccer we aim for is an attacking style that values possession of the ball, so if we can produce results with what we have been doing recently, it will also give us confidence, so we want to focus on that.
Q, In soccer, where the ball is important, Kimoto's position has become a starting point. In the early stages, there were scenes where long feeds were very effective, and I think there were also plays where short passes and middle passes were added as decoys. How do you feel about the organization in that area?
A, In the beginning, there was a strong impression that a lot of long balls were used. On the other hand, as it has been analyzed, it is important to connect with short passes from the back, as it is difficult to create chances with just long balls. I also think that using both short and long passes makes it difficult for the opponent to catch up. If the players in the back can adjust the ratio well, I think the team can continue to grow.
Q, in order to win in the next phase, I think the key is what actions the team can take after pushing the opponent. Do you see anything for the second half of the game?
A, If we can continue to grow, we will have more possession time, which will lead to longer possession time in the opponent's territory. In that sense, I think we can score more points and increase our chances of winning by connecting a little slower and increasing our decision-making ability and creating more chances. Also, I think the players in the back will have more opportunities to receive counters than before, so I think risk management will be required and the ability to defend even when at a numerical disadvantage in counter situations will be demanded.
