Two attackers who are similar yet different approached. The theme is "dribble".
When asked about his strengths in dribbling, Keita ENDO tilts his head in confusion and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA confidently responds with a vertical shake. While there are some aspects that they both agree on, their thoughts are completely opposite, despite both playing as left wingers.
In the second part, we will discuss our favorite dribblers and tactics. The names that came up were Messi (Inter Miami) and Kaoru Misaka (Brighton & Hove Albion). Kota Tawaratsumida, who grew up watching Messi, and Keita Endo, who respects his classmate. What exactly is dribbling for them?
Do you have an ideal dribble or favorite dribbler?
Tawarazumida I've been watching Messi since I was little. Isn't everyone's ideal Messi? (laughs).
Endo That's not true (laughs). Personally, it's Kaoru Mimasu. He's the same age as me. If you watch Mimasu's dribbling, any young football player will definitely improve.
──Is there something special about Mitsumata player that other professionals can't imitate?
Endo I can't do that (laughs). I don't understand anymore. I can't stop and turn from a shooting motion and go vertically. Can't do it, right?
Tawarazumida I don't think I want to make that choice.
Endo Yeah, that's right. Usually, players either go vertically or through the middle. Of course, there is technique, but more than that, they are able to use their body well. It's on a different level. I mean, he's playing in the English Premier League after all.
──Is there a specific ideal style for both of you when you have the ball on the left side, even though Kaoru Misaka is also a left-sided player?
Takumida Tawarazumi It's best to break through and score on your own. Last season, the goal I scored in the home game against Gamba Osaka (2023 Meiji Yasuda Life J1 League Sec. 29) was ideal. Even in my U-18 days, I used to do a lot of dribbling over long distances. In that situation, I wasn't thinking about scoring as soon as I got the ball, but I knew there was space, so I decided to dribble. Since my teammates weren't catching up, I decided to go all the way on my own.
Endo I value finishing with a cross or shot at the minimum. In Germany, because of my position, not losing the ball was the top priority, so now it's ingrained in me, but I think I can change my mindset again. I think my dribbling sense has dulled a bit, but I think if I change my approach in Tokyo, it will be good.
Even if you tear apart multiple opponents on the side, in the end it is not the goal but the means. "Theorist" Keita ENDO and "intuitive" Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. Even though they have different styles as dribblers, they both reach the same destination. For what purpose do these two keep trying over and over again? It is to score a goal and lead the team to victory.
──Do you have a winning dribbling pattern within yourself?
Tawarazumida It's hard to express in words. Is it difficult?
Endo There's no such thing as a surefire winning pattern (bitter laugh).
Tawarazumida I don't think there is anything absolute in soccer, but I think the probability is high in my mind, if you are a player who is good at dribbling like Keita-kun or myself, and if you are able to take the lead in a 1-on-1 situation and there is space, I think the probability of breaking through is high. The way to break through is different for each person, but I think the probability of breaking through increases if you can make a good attempt.
Endo Certainly, what is important is how many situations with a high probability of breaking through can be created. After that, if I can take the first move and get ahead even half a step, I can create some space and cross with my left foot. I think it's also important to create the angle for dribbling, not just the course. I'm not as fast as Towera in terms of speed, so I think it's necessary to create angles.
Tawarazumida That's exactly what I'm working on right now, thinking that it's a challenge. It's about off-the-ball movement. If you can take the back instead of trying to get past yourself, you should just take it. On the other hand, there are various off-the-ball movements, such as pretending to go behind and receiving the ball at your feet, so I'm working on that challenge.
──Is there anything important you keep in mind when negotiating with your opponent?
Tawarazumi Ta As a personal challenge, I tend to dive in first. For example, I may try a few times vertically, and if the opponent starts to read it, I may go inside. However, I mostly do it by instinct, so it might be easier to ask Keita-kun about it (laughs).
Endo I think a lot. There are players who are very cautious about the vertical and wait in a position to cover even if one is taken out, so I don't go vertically when that happens. If that happens, there should be space available for other players to use, so I try to use that for other players. I don't play by feeling too much (laughs).
──Finally, for both of you, please tell us about "dribbling".
Tawarazumida I think it's a means to score goals and assists. Of course, it feels good to get past the opponent, but it feels even better to score a goal. However, I want to continue to be a player who specializes in dribbling. I hope to improve my speed, agility, and movements that stretch out, and I think it would be great if I could grow while improving my dribbling skills, such as choosing whether to dribble or not. My ideal is to combine dribbling and scoring goals.
Endo It would be great if dribbling could become one of the team's tactics. If our teammates understand it, we can receive passes at the right timing and our opponents will also see it as a threat. As Tawara also mentioned, dribbling is just a means, not the end goal. I want to contribute to the team's title acquisition by utilizing this weapon.
First part is here
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
