TOKYOism

The 2022 season is finally down to the last match. How far has the new playing style been integrated and developed? And what kind of growth do we envision for the future of Tokyo? With sports writer Atsushi Iio as the interviewer, we asked Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA to summarize this season.

Q: The first season of adventure in Tokyo is coming to an end. Currently, we are in 6th place in the league before the final match. What kind of feedback or feeling are you getting?
A major theme was to revive the team, and my job was to instill a style that was clearly different from before. I thought I had to make changes as smoothly as possible to avoid suffering. This is because if we sought drastic changes from the start of the season and failed to earn points, the players could fall into a nervous situation. Therefore, I aimed for gradual changes. I believe we were able to change more smoothly than expected thanks to the players' high abilities and their dedicated efforts, as well as the warm support from fans and supporters who understood that this endeavor was not easy.

Q, while achieving a season double against top teams like Kashima Antlers, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and Cerezo Osaka, showing strength and competitiveness, there were also unstable moments, such as losses to lower-ranked teams like Shonan Bellmare and Vissel Kobe.
It is true that we had proud battles against Kashima, Hiroshima, and C Osaka. However, I believe we should not take a simplistic view that we played well against top teams and struggled against lower teams. Kobe recently achieved five consecutive wins. Shonan has achieved a season double against Kawasaki Frontale. Focusing on specific parts can obscure other aspects. For example, Sagan Tosu is not a large club, but they have shown wonderful performances this season, haven't they? The league leaders, Yokohama F.Marinos, suffered consecutive losses to Gamba Osaka and Júbilo Iwata, who are fighting to avoid relegation. The J1 League is an incredibly competitive league unlike any other in the world. As we are a developing team, it is natural to have some instability. Still, looking at the season as a whole, I believe we have grown steadily and been able to compete consistently.

Q, indeed, we only suffered two consecutive losses twice.
A, as I mentioned before, I am a realist. I am the type who continues to walk towards what can realistically be achieved. At Albirex Niigata, which I previously led, there were many pessimists, so I had to become an optimist. However, here, after winning just a few matches, idealists emerge saying, "We might win the AFC Champions League" (laughs). There may be differences in personality between people from regional cities and those from the capital. However, I repeat, I am a realist. This club has not yet reached a position where it can win many titles. That is why I believe we should focus on steady efforts and building our foundational strength. I am calling for us to "travel together," but first, we must know where we are and where we want to reach. Our management scale is by no means at the top in J1, and our highest ranking in past league competitions is 2nd. Understanding this reality will clarify where we need to fight towards.

Q: Considering that it is a competitive league and that you tried to change your style, after the heavy defeats against Avispa Fukuoka (Sec. 11 on May 3) and Tosu (Sec. 18 on June 26), there was a risk of continuing to decline. What do you think were the factors that allowed you to hold your ground and move forward again?
I believe the players' unity is strong. The attitude of the leaders who took on the role of bringing the team together was remarkable. Experienced players like Masato MORISHIGE, Yuto NAGATOMO, and Keigo HIGASHI not only unified the team but also adapted to the new style and showcased great performances. Although he is not here now, we must also appreciate the leadership of Yojiro TAKAHAGI. When the team found itself in difficult situations, their encouragement and positive voices were significant. The dedication of the foreign players to the team is also noteworthy. The growth of the younger players has been a tailwind for us. Kuryu MATSUKI joined this team at 18 and has grown into a key player. The presence of the three players we acquired in the summer (Luiz PHELLYPE, Koki TSUKAGAWA, Seiji KIMURA) was also substantial. I believe that all these factors intertwined to prevent us from falling into the relegation battle.

Q: Before the season started, I couldn't imagine that young players Kuryu MATSUKI and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, along with the more experienced Ryoma WATANABE, would perform this well.
A, it's not just them. (Hotaka) NAKAMURA has also achieved remarkable growth. (Shuto) ABE and (Kazuya) KONNO have also made significant progress. (Seiji) KIMURA is also growing tremendously. I believe the young players in their growth phase and the experienced veterans have blended well together, guiding the team in a positive direction.

Q: I think it was also significant that Tsukakawa, who was acquired during the season, fit smoothly into the team. After his acquisition, I remember it being mentioned that "Tsukakawa's playing style has changed from before."
When I was leading Niigata, I watched his play in Matsumoto. After that, Tsukakawa spent a year and a half at Kawasaki, and his playing style clearly changed, transforming him into a player that fits our team. It is often the case that a team's style helps players grow. The players who played under me in Niigata also changed their preferred playing styles. For example, now playing in Tosu is Akito FUKUTA. By learning to value the ball in Niigata, he now contributes not only in defense but also in attack. I believe the same is happening in Tokyo. I have heard that Yuto was viewed with suspicion last season. However, this season, I don't think there are any critics of his performance. Moreover, he is playing on the right side instead of his accustomed left side. Furthermore, even as a fullback, he plays in the center of the pitch like a midfielder. He proves that growth can be encouraged by one's attitude, regardless of age. Keigo is the same, right? After all, soccer players grow along with the soccer ball. I believe there is no other way. And for players who have a strong desire to grow, the soccer ball will cooperate with them.

Q, that's a nice phrase. Now, please tell me about the phases. Starting from the first half matches against Shimizu S-Pulse (May 25, Sec. 15) and Kashima (May 29, Sec. 16), the team has now entered a phase where they are "holding the ball and moving towards the goal." Is the timing of this phase transition according to plan?
Thanks to the high quality of the players and their efforts, we are able to transition to the next phase sooner than I expected. However, that doesn't mean we can win every match or that we will definitely win a title next season; it's not that simple. The important thing is to build a foundation, and that foundation is currently progressing well.

Q: Can we say that a solid foundation has been built over the past year?
A, what I mean by base is whether our style is understood by the players. For example, in cooking, it is important to understand what ingredients to use and how to prepare them. That is the base. In that regard, we have been able to build it. However, in cooking, if the quality of the ingredients improves, the quality of the dish also upgrades. Similarly, if the quality of the players in a football team improves, the quality of the play that can be expressed also rises. That is why both Manchester City and Liverpool are always trying to acquire better players.

Q: Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA often talks about "why it is important to maintain possession of the ball" and it seems that the players' understanding has deepened.
Yes, that's right. I have talked many times to help them understand, and I have shown videos to deepen their understanding. However, no matter how well we explain the football we aim for in words, if we cannot accumulate points, everyone will feel anxious and have doubts. In that sense, being able to accumulate points while progressing through the process this season is a positive aspect heading into the second year.

Q: What phase will the team enter in the future?
Phase A, where we aim to dominate the match in a more perfect form. However, I do not envision dominating the match with an extremely high ball possession rate. It is not just about passing the ball around. We want to maintain the ball in the right way to control the match and aim to win the game. We will continue to play with the ball to boost the players' confidence. I believe this leads to growth and match control. However, before that, we must ensure that the new players understand our style and adapt to the team. On the other hand, what I will absolutely not do is adopt a style that is typically Japanese.

Q: What do you mean by a Japanese-style?
A, "We aim for the championship" and "We will achieve a treble" is spreading a big boast (laughs).

Q, I see, is that so? (wry smile).
A, what I firmly believe is that it is the accumulation of clear ideas and daily efforts that leads to success. I do not guarantee results. For me, success is not about what I am doing now, but what I leave behind. This season, Niigata achieved victory in the J2 League and secured their return to the J1 League. President Yukio Nakano, Director of Strengthening Yoshito Terakawa, and Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI have achieved success. After I left, they brought continuity to the team. Thanks to their continued efforts, my conviction that the right ideas and sustained efforts lead to success has strengthened. I want to achieve the same thing in Tokyo. Niigata's next goal will be to become a team that stays in the J1 League for a long time. On the other hand, Tokyo aims to consistently rank among the top 3-4 teams every year and reach a level where they are always in contention for the championship. I am currently challenging myself to build that foundation. It requires more than just efforts on the ground. We must acquire high-quality players year after year and gradually expand our management scale. We also need to gradually increase the number of fans and supporters filling the stadium. It is important for everyone to cooperate and make efforts to move in the same direction.

Q: This weekend, the Tamagawa Classico against Kawasaki will finally be the last game of the season. Since we also faced Kawasaki in the opening match, it will be a game to confirm our growth this season.
I hope it will be a wonderful match. Both teams are expected to play offensively, and I want it to be an exciting game. Since it's the final match at home, it would be great if we could bring great joy to the fans and supporters. However, I believe we should not evaluate the team's growth by comparing the performance of the opening match with this game. This is because the performance and results of the match are influenced by various factors. It could be our mistakes or mistakes from Kawasaki. Various elements affect the flow and content of the match. Therefore, I want everyone to enjoy this season's last game, separate from the opening match.

Text by Atsushi Iio (Sports Writer)