<Albert PUIG ORTONEDA>
Q: Please tell us about the thoughts written on the ema.
A, I believe that the only and most important thing we can ask of any god of any religion is health. Everything else is something each individual must strive for. Being a good person, putting in effort, and cherishing those close to us are values that all religions emphasize. However, there are aspects we can control and those we cannot. Our own health is something we cannot control alone. If there is a god, I sincerely wish to pray to all gods for my health. I want to ask the divine for the ability to live a better, healthier life for a long time. While everyone may ask the gods for titles, if all teams rely on the gods for victory, it could lead to conflicts among the gods. This is something we should avoid. A war among the gods could arise. Therefore, I do not ask for victory or titles. I want to pray for the health of myself and everyone involved with the team. For everything else, I want to continue to put in solid effort.
Q: Have there been any prayers for victory at other teams?
In my country, there are many Catholics, and similarly to Japan, there is a custom for players and staff to visit a church at the start of the season to pray for health and safety. When I was the academy director of FC Barcelona, at the beginning of the season, all players and staff from every category of the academy would visit a church called Montserrat, located in the mountains of Catalonia. There is a wonderful children's choir there, and it is a tradition to listen to their beautiful singing and pray for health and safety. There are various religions depending on the region, but there are similar customs in every religion, and in that sense, I believe humanity is fundamentally the same.
Q: This is your second season as a coach. How has the team's maturity progressed through the camp?
A, things are progressing smoothly as I expected. I have a feeling that we can make a better start by utilizing the foundation we built last season. This season's goal is to consistently deliver good play and good results in a stable manner, along with the style that is becoming established. I also want to instill a winner's mentality throughout the club that is focused on competition. I believe that when this is firmly established, we will be able to achieve great success in the not-so-distant future. In any case, there is no doubt that we are moving in a good direction. However, just because we are moving in a good direction does not mean we will win the league. Please do not misunderstand that. Regarding the championship, I do not guarantee anything and would like to refrain from commenting. I can only guarantee that I will continue to fight with a strong determination to win every single match in front of us.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: Do you feel that the season is finally starting when you come to pray for victory?
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we always came to Meiji Jingu together during this time, so I am happy that we could come here with all the players after several years.
Q: It was written on the ema that you hope for a year without injuries, but are you still concerned about injuries?
A, since we are asking the gods, there are times when injuries are beyond our control, so we will ask for that. As for the results of soccer, it depends on us, so we want to earn those ourselves.
Q: How do you want to spend this season as a team?
Of course, we aim for the championship, and I believe that to win, it’s about how we can consistently fight without losing to ourselves in every match. I want our team to demonstrate stable strength throughout the year.
Q: How do you feel as an individual?
As an individual, I believe that if I can play without injuries, I can play at 100 percent for a year, so I want to prepare well and do my best.
Q: How is the team's maturity during Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's second season through the camp?
A, this season we are focusing more on quality, and while building up the finer details, we were able to clearly confirm our strengths and weaknesses during the camp, so I think it is important to be strict with ourselves throughout the season.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for this season.
A, anyway, if everyone can give 100 percent effort throughout the entire season, I believe we can definitely compete for the championship and reach the top. First, we want to focus on living each day at 100 percent, putting pressure on ourselves as we go along.
Q: This year is my year, but what do you think about being able to play soccer at that age?
I believe I can still do a lot, and I want to make this year, the Year of the Rabbit, a year of leaps.
Q: Shinji KAGAWA has returned to Cerezo Osaka. How do you feel about the return of players from the same generation to the J-League?
First of all, I am honestly happy that you have returned to the J-League, and I want to help promote the J-League together. However, he is a player that can be unpleasant to face, so I have understood his characteristics and greatness since the past, and I want to keep that in check. I am really looking forward to the match.
Q: This is your 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, but I don't think it was a very good age. However, as I have aged and experienced various things, I want to reflect that in my results.
Q, by the way, it was the season we won the J2 League 12 years ago.
Is it a season for winning the J2? Well, I think that year was good. I hope to win after 12 years.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: The J-League is finally starting, how do you feel after completing your prayer for victory?
We have been preparing since the camp, and now we are just two weeks away from the opening. This is the first time I have prayed for victory since turning professional, and I hope to sincerely ask the gods for a good season here.
Q: It was written on the ema that you want to "win." What do you want to win against?
A, it's about the matches as well as winning in various situations, including the one-on-one in the match right in front of us. I wanted to cherish this in myself this year, so I wrote it down.
Q: I believe there were matches where you played as a starter during the camp, but how do you feel about your performance throughout the camp?
In terms of results, I was able to make several assists during the matches, and I believe I was evaluated on that, which gave me the opportunity to play in the first team a few times, and I think that was good. However, in the same position, there are top-level players who are performing well, so I really don't know if I will be able to play until the end, so I want to continue to appeal for results until the opening match.
Q: Do you have specific goals as an individual?
A, my personal goal was 1 goal and 2 assists in last season's J-League, but personally, I have always wanted to increase the number of goals and assists compared to last season.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for this season.
As written on the ema, I want to start the season at maximum gear, winning personal battles in each match in front of me, while seeking more victories for the team, so that we can end with good results.
Q: With the Paris Olympic generation and the second qualifying round for the World Cup, what are your thoughts on the national team?
A. Last season, I was able to go on an overseas expedition, and if I achieve results with the team, I believe I can be called up. I think that if I can play with the team, I can also play for the national team, so my priority is the team. First, I want to achieve results with the team, have the coach see that, and if I get called up, I hope to give it my all.
Q: Did you have any feelings after watching last year's Qatar World Cup?
A, the World Cup that I used to watch when I was little felt like a distant event, but seeing Nagatomo, who always played in the same position with me, performing on that stage made me think it was amazing. It has become a standard for me that I must surpass Nagatomo to stand on that stage, and it has been a great source of inspiration.
Q: The accuracy of your crosses has improved significantly, and I believe you mentioned wanting to make that a weapon. How do you feel about your current progress?
A, last season the accuracy of crosses gradually improved, allowing for better connections with players entering the box, creating several chances. Including the camp, I feel that my sense of the game has also improved, so I want to delve deeper into that and aim to contribute to assists and goals this season.
