Ryoma WATANABE, looking from the right side back. The innocence of "not understanding the meaning of playing good soccer and losing"
Behavior on the right side
After finishing the opening match with Kawasaki Frontale, an article titled "The Dream Portrayed by the 'Blue-Red Albert Revolution'. What the Current Position of '20%' Shown Against Kawasaki F Means for the Future" was published on Soccer Magazine Web. Here, I will continue a bit from there.
I have been observing Albirex Niigata and writing for Niigata media for about 6 years, thanks to a mysterious connection. I have also enjoyed watching the two years of Coach Albert in Niigata. Now, I am able to experience that enchanting football at FC Tokyo, what a delight.
The above column mainly focuses on the performance of the right side in the opening match. It discusses Leandro's movements, Matsuki Kuryu's intelligence, and the tasks of Ryoma Watanabe, who has been converted to a right-back.
At the press conference on the first day of practice, Coach Albert said to me, "If you bring me a delicious wine, I will tell you a secret." In order to take on this column, I wanted to carefully ask about the trick he incorporated on the right side, so I thought about bringing a bottle of Bordeaux as a gift. However, these are difficult times. I decided to save it for when I want to hear another secret.
In the above column, I would like to take a moment to think about the meaning of "Ryoma WATANABE" that I couldn't touch on in detail (by the way, he used to play in Niigata).
The Third Man
Ryoma WATANABE is an attacking midfielder who has had a successful career, including being a key player for the U-17 Japan national team in the 2013 U-17 World Cup, finishing as runners-up in the National High School Soccer Championship with Maebashi Ikuei High School, and playing for Ingolstadt in Germany. Coach Albert Pobor plans to utilize his unique combination of abundant stamina and solid technique by converting him into a fullback, and has been testing this during the Okinawa training camp.
The opening game, without borrowing the words of coach Albert, lacked composure in the early stages, but gradually pushed back Kawasaki Frontale and created numerous chances. Ryoma Watanabe started as a right full-back and was the only player given a role different from his usual position among the 11 players.
"I had the impression that we were a bit chaotic in the beginning, but it was within my expectations. So, I don't have any regrets about that," Ryoma WATANABE calmly reflects. "As time went on, we gradually started playing our football and it led to the second half. So, I don't think there was anything to be pessimistic about overall," he adds.
In fact, in the early stages, Ryoma Watanabe's back was broken several times. Kawasaki Frontale's left wing is the speedy Marcinho. He is a dribbler who struggles even as a "genuine full-back". He said, "I had played suddenly before, but it was the first time I entered as a full-back," so it was expected that he would be burdened. Instead of feeling anxious when being overtaken from behind, being able to prepare and switch on the pitch as one of the possibilities is a strong manifestation of his unique mentality.
On the other hand, when it comes to the attack, I assert that "if I can't attack, there is no point in being here." On the right side, if Leandro moves towards the center, Matsuki moves outwards, and if Leandro moves outwards, Matsuki moves towards the center, and they progressed at a tempo of "Leandro's trigger." However, this alone cannot break through Kawasaki F. Therefore, number 23 will be involved as the "third man."
17 minutes, 36 minutes, 39 minutes
First of all, it is believed that Ryoma Watanabe was converted to a side back position because his technical skills are necessary to hold the ball (this is one of the secrets I want to ask Coach Albert about!). To ensure that the ball is carried effectively, it is preferred to use players with high technical abilities in the final line. This is what Coach Albert has been practicing at Albirex Niigata.
In terms of defense, Marcinho's breakthrough ability and Ryoma Watanabe's defensive technique are a mismatch. However, Coach Albert has always approached the game in the style that they have aimed for in the past two years. Although it is not possible to directly compare FC Tokyo and Albirex Niigata, it is understandable that they reinforced the center-back position with players like Yasuki Kimoto and Henrique Trevisan, who can kick the ball firmly.
In the attack, there were mainly three scenes that showed the potential of Ryoma Watanabe as a side back. In the 17th and 36th minutes, he anticipated the ball coming to Leandro from the left to the center, and at the perfect timing, he ran into the right open space.
Another one is the position around 39 minutes. Leandro takes the width, Ryoma Watanabe runs through the inside and enters the original attacking position, and Kuryu Matsuki sets up in a low position to support the two. Matsuki said after the game, "We have been discussing where to go and where not to go in defense with Ryoma-kun since the training camp," so this rotation seems to be the result of communication.
"Although it was against Kawasaki, there are many things that we need to do more. There are many things that need to be confirmed, but in my mind, I have already anticipated that," said Nagatomo for 56 minutes. He left the pitch in place of Yuto Nagatomo, and thus, the first step as a "skilled side back" ended like this.
(By the way, one of the secret strategies that Coach Albert is rumored to have is to use the left back of the Japanese national team as a right back)
Coach Albert tightly embraced Ryoma Watanabe's head in front of the bench.
Ryoma WATANABE is positive.
"I think this is soccer that produces results. Even if the results don't come, I think it's over to say that it's going well. I think it will change to saying that we are playing good soccer because we won. It doesn't make sense to play good soccer and lose, right? We must not forget the order that winning makes it good soccer."
Soccer to win. The use of Ryoma WATANABE as a right back is also a conversion to win. I feel like I understood this secret without giving wine.
Text by Taiga HIRASAWA (Soccer Magazine Web)
