<Albert PUIG ORTONEDA>
Q: How was today's practice match?
I am very satisfied not only with the first shot but also with the second one. There were many moments when the whole team understood and played according to my expectations.
In the first match against Ryukyu, they defended by dropping back their block, so there were many situations where we pushed forward, lost the ball, and then regained it to launch a short counterattack. I think the team did well. I believe it was good that we were able to score from a quick short counterattack in a tight space.
In the second match against Omiya, the opponent was trying to win the ball back from the front, which led to many attacks in a situation where there was space behind the defensive line. Omiya intended to apply high pressure, but we were able to successfully break through that high press on several occasions. The goal that was scored in the second half was precisely a goal that exploited the space behind the opponent. It would have been better if we could have made more plays and goals like that, but the number was not high, which is a challenge for us.
Through the first and second halves, I believe the players felt that by controlling the ball, we could control the game. Today, I think we had a good match that proved we were superior, as effectively controlling the ball led to controlling the game.
However, there are still many areas for improvement, so I look forward to future growth. We are currently in the third week of the preseason, but the important thing is that the entire team is beginning to understand and express the playing style I expect on the pitch. I respect various playing styles, including last year's style in Tokyo. Changing from a playing style that differs from what I expect is very challenging for the players, but I am pleased that they are adapting well to it.
Q: It seemed that the coordination in both offense and defense was good today.
A, the coordination between offense and defense was effective, and the transition between them was quick, so it is good news that the overall understanding of the players has improved, including these aspects.
The important concept is starting to be understood by the players, but we still need more time to refine the details and enhance the level of completion.
Q: It feels like it is very difficult to defend by pressing from the front without delay after losing possession.
A, I do not think it is difficult to defend positively at all. What interests me is that many teams in Japan first lower their block and then defend.
Most high-level clubs in Europe maintain a high block as much as possible from the middle zone and actively defend in an aggressive manner. I believe this is standard in modern football.
Q: Was it because we were able to maintain a high position in today's match that it led to good attacks from there?
When we maintain a high block in defense, we can create good attacks from there. Rather than long-distance counters, I think we were able to play towards the goal with quick transitions between offense and defense. However, for me, the most ideal defense is to control the game by keeping possession of the ball. Even if we win, we shouldn't be allowing too many shots; if we can control both the ball and the game like today, the chances for the opponent to shoot will be close to zero. I do not believe that lowering the block and solidifying the defense leads to better defense. I think the best way to defend is to first keep possession of the ball.
Q: After taking the ball, if the attack continues towards the goal immediately, it can be physically demanding, so it's necessary to have time to rest while controlling the game.
A, the awareness of transitioning quickly between offense and defense, which was developed through a play style that utilized counterattacks until last year, will continue to be a weapon this year, and I want to refine and utilize it even more.
However, as the distance of the counterattack increases, the success rate decreases, and if it becomes all about counterattacks, the opponent will dominate the ball, creating a vicious cycle where the time spent on defense increases.
I believe there is still a lot of time to improve in controlling the game.
<Adailton>
Q: The camp is nearing its end. How well has the new style of football been integrated so far?
I fully understand what the coach is saying. Recently, I have been able to try out what we want to do in practice and practice matches, so I want to refine it properly before the opening match and continue to work on expressing it.
Q: It is evident that your condition is improving as you have been involved in goals during practice matches and scoring goals yourself.
I believe that not just myself, but the entire team is not yet at 100 percent. However, I want to improve our condition further and have everyone ready by the opening match.
Q: How are the detailed positioning instructions from the coach and the combinations with your teammates?
A, that's right. Since it resembles the style I've been playing in Brazil, I find the positioning quite easy to understand. I want to continue training and refine the finer details, such as the spacing between players.
<Makoto OKAZAKI>
Q, do you feel that the new style is becoming established?
A, I don't think anything too difficult has been said from the beginning, and the build-up play is something we've been doing since my time at FC Tokyo U-15. Since last year, the style has changed, and there were still parts that hadn't fully settled in, so after a little over two weeks of camp, I finally feel like the way we move the ball has started to become second nature. After today's match, there were fewer moments where the team was functioning well, so that's something we need to reflect on. However, the fact that players have been able to communicate with each other during camp is a positive thing, and I believe we are heading in a good direction.
Q: Do you feel any differences in building up from the defense line compared to before?
A, in my own sense, I think it's fine to hold the ball if the opponent is not pressing. There's no need to force a pass; I believe it's better to hold the ball and dribble forward, then pass when the opponent comes to press. On the other hand, I think it's important to adapt to what the coach is asking for, such as making passes to create tempo or avoiding risks by not easily passing to the defensive midfielder and circulating the ball from the outside, which are basic concepts.
Q: The season opening is finally approaching.
I believe that time is necessary to improve our completeness, but on the other hand, we must win. While connecting the ball, I want to focus on how much we can build up with victory as a premise. The trial and error will continue in official matches, and I think mistakes will occur during the games. There are different aspects in our defensive coordination compared to before, so there may be some discrepancies in the early stages, but if we can play football that ensures we win even within that, I believe both the team and the players can grow.
Q: Are you enjoying playing this soccer?
I like to play by touching the ball, and building up from the back is a style that allows me to showcase my characteristics, so I feel the need to make an impression there. If I can align my instincts with what the coach is looking for before the season starts, I believe we can play even better football.
