Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has taken over as coach, and the 2022 season, which aims to build a new playing style, is now one third remaining. How much has the team grown so far? We interviewed sports writer Atsushi Iio, who also interviewed coach Albert before the start of the season, to ask the commander about the team's current position.
Q, The match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on July 6th was a test match for vocal support operations. It was the first time for coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA to hear cheers and chants in Japan since the opening match of the 2020 season when he led Albirex Niigata. How did you feel about the singing of the fans and supporters?
A, I think the atmosphere of the stadium has returned to what it should be. In the past two years, we have also played games without spectators. Even when fans and supporters were able to fill the stands, we were unable to make any noise. I'm sure it was frustrating for everyone, but it was also difficult for us. On that day, I want to convey to those who sent their support at Ajinomoto Stadium, "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Albert Tokyo" chants were heard loud and clear. Your support gave us the push we needed to have a great game. At the same time, we could hear the fans and supporters from Sapporo cheering until the very end. I want to express my gratitude to both teams' fans and supporters for creating such a wonderful atmosphere.
Q, By the way, what do you think about yourself, Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, as a romanticist or a realist, as a type of coach?
A, suddenly, what's wrong? (lol) I consider myself a realist.
Q, why do you think that?
A, Romantistais something that ends just by dreaming. However, in order to incorporate my ideal soccer into the team, I always face reality. In recent years, with the spread of the internet and the extreme development of technology, soccer analysis has advanced, but at the same time, I feel that the elements that soccer originally possesses are being lost. For example, there is an overflow of tactical analysis of soccer on the internet. There are opinions that if you win the game, it's a tactical victory, and if you lose, the tactics are bad, but soccer is not that simple. A team is a group of living, breathing humans. Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes they may have problems off the pitch. The coach must be able to bring together these living humans. That's why, while holding onto my ideals, I always face reality.
Q, because in the first 10 games of the season, there were a lot of direct plays and the style from last season was strongly present. We will gradually incorporate the playing style we aim for while earning points, and make it possible to embody "football that loves the ball". I felt skillfulness in this area.
One thing I noticed when I first came to this club was that there were few players in their late 20s and a lot of young and veteran players on the team. Furthermore, we struggled with the new coronavirus in the early part of the season. If I had stuck to my own ideals in such a situation, what would have happened? We might have been fighting to avoid relegation by now. This season, my job is to gradually get the team used to a new playing style, while also giving opportunities to young players and rejuvenating the team. If you compare the possession rates of the past few years and this season, you can understand that things are gradually changing.
Q, while building the base and giving young players a chance, we also aim to earn as many points as possible. In such difficult challenges, I think we were able to embody the soccer that coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA aims for in the matches against Shimizu S-Pulse on May 25th and Kashima Antlers on May 29th. Especially the Kashima match was a game that showed the standard and direction.
A, I think we played well in those two games. Also, the first half of the Emperor's Cup match against V-Varen Nagasaki (on June 22) and the match against Sagan Tosu (on June 26) were not bad. It can be said that the team has progressed to the next phase. However, as we have become able to possess the ball, technical mistakes have become more noticeable and we have been exposed to more counterattacks. This is a new challenge that comes with growth. It will still take time for us to calm down, control the ball, provide proper support, and aim for the opponent's goal at the right timing.
Q, when building a style, you said, "You have to take two steps forward and one step back."
A, moreover, there are many injured players. When so many players are injured, there is a limit to what the coach can do. Due to the absence of Henrique (Trevisan), Morishige (Masato) and Kimoto (Yasuki) have to continue playing as center backs. (Nakamura) Hota, Aoki (Takuya), and (Abe) Shuto are also injured, and Adailton and Diego (Oliveira) are playing while carrying injuries. Because of this team situation, we had to rely on 18 and 19-year-old players in the center of the team.
Q, Matsuki Kuryu and Kajiura Yuki, right?
A, if there had been no Kajiwara's pass mistake in the Urawa game on July 10th and we had reached halftime with a 0-0 score, the subsequent game development would have been completely different. It may sound harsh, but that goal had a big impact on the flow of the game. It was a painful goal for the team, but Kajiwara himself gained a valuable experience. Such experiences can only be gained by playing in a game. However, as I mentioned before, we have been working on a new playing style for six months and we are at the stage of building a base. Even at Albirex Niigata, which I led, we struggled in the first year, but in the second year we were able to establish a clear playing style and achieve results. Yokohama F.Marinos, who won the 2019 season, also had a new coach in their second year. Manchester City's (Josep) Guardiola also had no titles in his first year, but in his second year he made a big investment and achieved a double crown. The same can be said for Liverpool's (Jurgen) Klopp.
Q, it was in the 4th season that Klopp won his first title with Liverpool.
A, I don't know if I will be given enough time for that (laughs), but I want to create a team that can aim for the title step by step. The coach is not a magician. Of course, I will accept criticism when we lose, but the club has just started its reform. I hope you understand that.
Q, Ryoma WATANABE's performance was outstanding in the first half. He played as a right-back, right inside-half, and right wing, fulfilling the roles required of him. How does coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA feel about his play and abilities?
A, Leandro is one of the players I am looking for. His main position is MF, but he can also play like a wing or a side back. He still has room for improvement in ball possession, but he is doing very well. In a game, we have to respond to various situations. Leandro, as well as other versatile players like Sandro and PREMIST, are valuable assets as they expand our options for tactics and strategies.
Q, Furthermore, I am interested in Yuto NAGATOMO and Keigo HIGASHI. NAGATOMO joined the team late due to national team activities and did not have many opportunities to play in the early part of the season, but he has now secured the right back position. HIGASHI spent a lot of time on the bench, but he seized the chance that came his way as an anchor, a position that is not his main role. As the generational shift continues, I am impressed by the strength of the veteran players who continue to prepare and come back without losing their edge.
A, Yuto Nagatomo is one of the few Japanese players who have continued to play for a great club in Europe. The reason he has been able to continue playing at that level is because he has a competitive spirit. He is always eager to learn and always gives 100% in practice. Last year, he faced criticism for his performance with the Japan national team, but he bounced back with a strong mentality and hard work. I believe that players with a mentality like his are the ones who become great players. Young players in Japan should learn a lot from Nagatomo. Keigo is also a player with a strong mentality and excellent skills. As you said, he has overcome difficult situations and is now playing as an anchor. It's as if he has been playing in this position all along. I think it's a position that suits him well.
Q, On the other hand, in the inside half, mainly Abe and Matsuki are used. They are players who use intensity as their weapon rather than creativity. Is intensity more important in the image of the inside half that Coach Albert is looking for?
Even if I instruct A, Shuto to "play like Iniesta," it doesn't mean he can become Iniesta. As a realist, I first want to make use of the strengths of the players in front of me. Of course, I also expect them to improve little by little. For example, I think it's clear to everyone that Kuse has made significant growth in the past few months. Not only is his intensity high, but I also think there is a big difference in the quality when he has the ball compared to the beginning of the season.
Q, There were important farewells with players this summer. First, about Ryoya OGAWA. What kind of words did you say to send him off?
A, "First of all, I want you to make use of what you have learned in the past few months in order to perform at a high level in Europe," and "Be mentally strong," I told him. It is important to have a strong determination to win. I also talked about the challenges that many Japanese players face when playing in Europe. It is the ability to adapt. Going back to the previous topic, Nagatomo speaks Italian. If you go to Italy, you cannot learn Italian immediately. Nagatomo said that he didn't need an interpreter in order to learn the language faster. On the other hand, I have heard that there are Japanese players who have lived in Europe for several years but still cannot speak the language when they return. So I told Ryo, "It's either you can adapt well or you come back at Christmas,"
Q, What do you think about Kensuke NAGAI and Yojiro TAKAHAGI? I think there are many fans and supporters who are shocked.
A, regarding Kensuke, it means that he wanted a different playing style and a different place in order to play as a professional player for a longer time. It's unfortunate that he will be leaving this team as he played an important role, but I wanted to respect Kensuke's feelings. Since it's a transfer within the same league, I'm looking forward to playing against him. Yojiro also has a desire to continue playing for a longer time, and I think this transfer will be a plus for him. His technical level is excellent, but as he's getting older, it became difficult for him to constantly run and sprint. I hope he will have plenty of playing time at Tochigi SC, and at the same time, I advised him to "prepare for becoming a coach while playing" because I think he has the ability to become a coach in the future.
Q, Is it sometimes necessary to part ways during the process of reform?
A, of course, it is an unavoidable path in soccer. After the first year in Niigata, many foreign players left. As long as there is a desired style, I think it is necessary to replace players in order to achieve it. Even Manchester City and Liverpool are constantly improving their style and strengthening their team by replacing players every year. If you change your style or concept without doing that, you will fall into a negative cycle. For example, in Niigata, coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI is continuing the style I established and leading the team in a good direction while making some changes to the players. In Tokyo, I hope that when I leave, the successor will inherit the style and ideas and lead the team in the same direction. I think that is the secret to success.
Q, I think you are also working hard on reforming the club. You have said, "We must change the club's mentality." What kind of mentality do you currently have and what do you want to change?
A, it is important to remember that a club is an organization built by real people. And in order for the team to have a winning mentality, everyone involved with the club must possess it as well. We cannot become complacent. No matter what department or division, we must continue to demand more from ourselves. A winning mentality means always being hungry for victory and giving our all to win. This applies to the club's management, strengthening department, marketing department, and public relations department. In the case of public relations, we must constantly work to get the club more media coverage and continue to promote the club's information. Every department must always strive for the top. I believe this is the winning mentality within the club. Even if we change our playing style, without a winning mentality within the club, we cannot achieve great success. When you go to a great club in Europe, you can feel the winning mentality from the moment you step foot in the club. I would be very happy if Tokyo could acquire that.
Q, two-thirds of the season has passed. What kind of season do you want to end with?
A, I would like to continue to pursue the same things as before. It is about being committed to the game, making daily efforts, and continuing to grow. And, I want to build a solid foundation and connect it to the next season.
Text by Atsushi Iio (Sports Writer)
