<Albert PUIG ORTONEDA>
Q, please tell us about the thoughts written on the ema.
A, As a value in my life, I believe that the most important thing we can ask for from any god of any religion is our health. I think that everything else is something that each individual must work for themselves. All religions ask us to be good people, to work hard, and to value those close to us. However, there are things that we cannot control. Our own health is something that we cannot control alone. If there is a god, I sincerely pray to all of them for good health. I want to ask for a long and healthy life from the gods. Everyone may ask for titles from the gods, but if all teams ask for titles, the gods will end up fighting with each other. We should avoid that. It will cause a war between the gods. Therefore, I do not ask for victory or titles. I want to pray to the gods for the health of myself and everyone involved in the team. As for everything else, I want to work hard for it.
Q: Did you have any rituals for victory in other teams?
In my country, there are many Catholics, and there is a custom for players and staff to visit a church at the start of the season to pray for health and safety, similar to Japan. When I was the Academy Director for FC Barcelona, all players and staff from every category would visit the church of Montserrat, located in the mountains of Catalonia, at the start of the season. There is a wonderful children's choir there, and it is a custom to listen to their beautiful singing and pray for health and safety. There are various religions in different regions, but each religion has a similar custom, and in that sense, I think all humans are the same.
Q, How is the team's maturity level through the camp in the second season of the coach?
A, things are going smoothly as I expected. I have a feeling that we can start off better by utilizing the base we have built up from last season. Our goal for this season is to consistently play well and achieve good results while maintaining our established style. We also want to instill a winning mentality throughout the entire club. When that is firmly established, I believe we will be able to achieve great success in the near future. There is no doubt that we are moving in a positive direction. However, just because we are moving in a positive direction does not guarantee a league championship. Please do not misunderstand. As for winning the league, I cannot guarantee anything and I would like to refrain from commenting. However, I can guarantee that we will continue to fight with a strong determination to win each and every game in front of us.
Masato MORISHIGE
Q: Do you feel like the season is finally starting when you come to pray for victory?
A, Before the corona pandemic, we always came to Meiji Jingu together at this time, so I am happy that all the players were able to come here together for the first time in a few years.
Q, it was written on the ema that there were no injuries for a year, but are you still concerned about injuries?
A, since it is a place to ask God, there are times when injuries are beyond our control, so we ask for help there. As for the results of soccer, it is up to us, so we want to win it ourselves.
Q: How do you want to spend this season as a team?
A, of course, we will aim for victory and continue to fight, and in order to win, we must win every game and not lose to ourselves. I think it is important to build up a stable team strength throughout the year.
Q, how about as an individual?
A, as an individual, I think I can play for one year at 100% if I can do it without getting injured, so I want to prepare well and do my best.
Q, How is the team's maturity through the camp in the second season of coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA?
A, This season, we will focus on quality and build up the details. We were able to confirm our strengths and weaknesses during the camp, so I think it is important for us to continue to push ourselves throughout the season.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for this season.
A, first of all, if everyone can give 100% of their strength throughout the entire season, I believe we can compete for the championship and reach the top. First and foremost, we want to firmly establish the idea of living each day at 100% and put pressure on ourselves as we continue to work towards our goal.
Q, What do you think about being able to play soccer until that age, even though you are a man of the year this year?
A, I still think I can do more and I want to make it a jumping year in the year of the rabbit.
Q, Shinji KAGAWA has returned to Cerezo Osaka. How do you feel about a player of the same generation returning to the J-League?
A, first of all, I am glad that you have come back to J-League honestly, and I want to liven up J-League together. However, he is a player that I don't like to face, so I know his characteristics and greatness from the past, so I want to control that. I am really looking forward to playing against him.
Q, This is my second year as a professional, how has your personal growth been over the past 12 years?
A, 12 years ago, I was 24 years old and I don't think it was a good age. However, as I have aged, I have been able to experience many things, so I want to express that as a result.
Q, by the way, it was a season when we won the J2 league 12 years ago.
Is it the season of A, J2 championship? Yes, that year was good, wasn't it? I want to win the championship for the first time in 12 years.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, How is J-League doing as the opening approaches after finishing the prayer for victory?
We have been preparing since the camp and now we are finally two weeks away from the opening. It was my first time to pray for victory since becoming a professional, but I hope to make a good season by firmly asking God here.
Q, what do you want to win when it says "win" on the ema?
A, both in terms of the game and in the 1v1 match in front of us, I wrote this because I wanted to emphasize the importance of winning in various situations this year.
Q, I think there were also games where you played as a starter during the camp. How do you feel about your performance during the camp?
In terms of results, I was able to assist in the game several times and I think I was evaluated for that and got the opportunity to play in the first team several times, which was good. However, in the same position, there are top-level players and those players are also producing results, so I don't know if I can play until the end, so I want to appeal for results until the opening.
Q: Do you have any specific goals as an individual?
A, My personal goal last season in the J-League was 1 goal and 2 assists, but personally, I have been thinking about increasing my goal and assist numbers from last season.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for this season.
A, as written on the ema, I want to approach each game in front of me as a personal challenge and aim for more victories for the team. I hope to finish with good results by giving my all from the start.
Q, How do you feel about the Paris Olympic generation and the second round of World Cup qualifiers for the national team?
A, I was able to go on an overseas expedition last season as well, and if I can produce results with the team, I can be called up. I believe that if I can play for the team, I can also play for the national team, so I think the team is the most important. First of all, I want to produce results with the team, have the coach see it, and if I am called up, I will give it my all.
Q, Did you have any thoughts while watching last year's Qatar World Cup?
A, The World Cup that I used to watch until I was little was a distant existence, but when I saw Nagatomo, who I always play in the same position with, performing on that stage, I thought it was amazing. It has become a standard for me that I have to surpass Nagatomo in order to stand on that stage, and it was a great motivation for me.
Q, I think you said you wanted to improve the accuracy of crosses and use that as your weapon, but how do you feel about the current situation?
A, Last season, the accuracy of crosses gradually improved and I was able to create some chances by fitting in with the players coming in. Since the camp, my own sense has also improved, so I want to focus on that and aim to contribute to assists and goals this season.
