Following last weekend's J1 champions, we face a formidable opponent. The western assassin, Vissel Kobe. Their momentum shows no signs of waning as they engage in a fierce battle for the top spot with Yokohama F.Marinos.
First and foremost, what stands out is the balance between offense and defense. Looking at the numbers at the end of Sec. 24, the total goals of 44 is the second highest, and the total goals conceded of 20 is the second lowest. The goal difference of 24 is the highest.
The performance in the second half of the season, including the unplayed matches (Sec. 16), is 4 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss. They have accumulated 15 points. The driving force is the absolute ace who delivers an impressive performance. That is Yuya OSAKO.
After all, since entering the second half of the season, there has been a goal rush with 7 goals in 8 matches. Moreover, the scoring patterns are incredibly diverse. From right foot, left foot, and headers to one-touch plays and direct free kicks, they are shaking the net in various ways.
However, what is truly remarkable is not just that (scoring). The ability to firmly control long balls from teammates at the front line, the skill of transitioning to counterattacks through effective positioning, quick switches, and intense pressing—all of these tasks are being executed across both offense and defense. In other words, they are not only the primary source of goals but also a key player in terms of tactics.
How irreplaceable he is. The previous match against Kashiwa Reysol, where Osako was on the bench, might be one example of this. From the beginning, the gears of offense and defense did not turn well, allowing Kashiwa to take control, and ultimately conceding the first goal. The reason is clear. After the match, coach Takayuki YOSHIDA reflected on this.
"There was no place for the ball to settle, no starting point, and we lost the second ball, causing our line to drop deeper."
Entering the second half, the equalizer came after Osako was sent onto the pitch. It was none other than him who seized the cross and brilliantly pierced the net. Unless there are any accidents, he will likely be named in the starting lineup this weekend. Naturally, the Tokyo bench needs to devise a strategy based on that assumption.
In the second half, Kashiwa and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo drew 1-1 with Kobe, earning 1 point. Both teams aggressively attempted to press from the front and managed to score the opening goal, greatly troubling Kobe. Perhaps Tokyo is envisioning a similar scenario.
First, it is about breaking the build-up. Apply intense pressure on the opponent's backs, induce careless mistakes, and once the ball is won, launch a quick counterattack without hesitation—this is the main target. By the way, the opening goal from Kashiwa in the previous match was achieved by picking up the second ball in midfield, quickly transitioning through the side, and finishing decisively.
Even if you can't win the ball, there is an advantage in continuing to apply pressure. You can force the opponent's backs, who dislike risk, to kick long balls, and then quickly recover them. This would work against a typical opponent. The real question is whether this strategy will also be effective against Kobe, who has Osako. That is indeed the primary focus.
Specifically, how to contain Osako, who becomes the target for long balls at the forefront. It all depends on the performance of the center-back pair (Masato MORISHIGE and Henrique TREVISAN) entrusted with this important task. A positive development is that since the appointment of Peter CKLAMOVSKI as coach, the players in the backline have become more prominent in their ability to disrupt play in the opponent's half.
Furthermore, the movements of Yuto NAGATOMO, who plays as a left back, will likely be key. After all, Kobe's strength lies on the right side. Wing player Yoshinori MUTO, the right back Gotoku SAKAI behind him, and the central midfielder Hotaru YAMAGUCHI, all of whom are former overseas players and capable members of the Japan national team, are all present. If Daizen MAEDA gets involved, they can easily break through the opponent's defensive line.
Additionally, there may be a way to exploit the mismatch between Muto and Nagatomo. The idea is to have Muto, who has the height advantage, compete for long balls. If it is deemed unfavorable, there is the option to match Nagatomo against Sakai and send Henrique as an assassin towards Muto. Meanwhile, Morishige can firmly hold onto Osako. Utilizing such <vertical and horizontal shifts> may also be effective.
For Morishige and Nagatomo, this is an opportunity to repay the debt from the last match (●2-3). Morishige was unable to prevent Osako's hold-up play and conceded a goal from a sharp counterattack. On the other hand, Nagatomo, who was playing as the right back, allowed Koya YURUKI to make a sharp breakthrough, leading to a goal by Muto from the cutback. This time, he will be looking forward to facing Muto in a one-on-one situation.
Replacing Nagatomo on the right side of Tokyo is Kosuke SHIRAI, who joined this summer. He is exceptionally strong in one-on-one battles, and whether facing Taki or Jean PATRIC, he should be able to hold his own or even surpass them.
Under Peter CKLAMOVSKI's regime, the defensive organization has been improved, and its performance is significantly different from the last match. In fact, they achieved a clean sheet in 6 out of 8 matches. However, in the remaining 2 matches, they lost with multiple goals conceded. The reality is that they cannot earn points unless they keep a clean sheet. Last weekend, they also couldn't hold on in the final moments and lost to Yokohama FM. Even if they concede goals, they want to fight tenaciously until the end and secure points.
No matter how much you limit the goals conceded, you cannot win if you don't score. The only match in the last 8 games that ended without a goal was against Urawa Reds. Good defense sets the stage for good offense. If the pressing falters, there are ways to build a compact defense from the middle zone to the back. It was on this foundation that Yokohama FC defeated Kobe. When they attack, they skillfully mix in long balls, brilliantly breaking through Kobe's high line. Of course, the space behind the line is also a target for Tokyo. By placing the explosively fast Adailton and Jája Silva at the forefront, a corresponding return can be expected. Considering the fact that Kobe struggled to break through Yokohama FC's block throughout the match, this will likely be a strong option.
Both teams are similar in their pursuit of high-intensity football. If they attempt fierce pressing from the beginning, many scoring opportunities will likely arise from sharp counterattacks. They have the talent to make that possible. Can Tokyo stop Kobe's pride, the 'Real 9'? If they want to seize the chance of victory, they have no choice but to accomplish that. After all, the main cast of the New National Stadium showdown is the blue-red assassins burning with the desire to 'contain Osako'.
Text by Satoshi Hojo (Football Writer)
