4/2 (Sat) vs Yokohama F.Marinos (Away)
ハイプレス vs ビルドアップ
If you're looking for a Yokohama F.Marinos perspective on the match against FC Tokyo, you can't ignore "that game".
８-０――。
On November 6, 2021, Yokohama FM and FC Tokyo faced each other in the 35th round of the J1 League. The match took place at the Nissan Stadium, the same venue as this round. Yokohama FM displayed their attacking football brilliantly and easily defeated FC Tokyo in a record-breaking victory. Shortly after, the then-manager Kenta Hasegawa (currently the manager of Nagoya Grampus) stepped down, perhaps leaving a bitter memory in FC Tokyo's history.
The match between Kawasaki Frontale and Yokohama F. Marinos was not only a record-breaking game with the most goals scored in a single match, but also a memorable bout. Looking back at the situation at that time, Yokohama F. Marinos suffered a defeat to Gamba Osaka without putting up much of a fight, crushing their hopes of winning the league title for the first time in two years. Moreover, they faced this match just two days after that disappointment, with a significant gap in points separating them from the teams below them, solidifying their position as a dominant second place. The victory in such adverse circumstances, where it was difficult to raise motivation due to various factors, surely left a deep impression in the hearts of the supporters who witnessed the players' strong fighting spirit.
Of course, it is not possible to discuss the current situation of both parties based solely on that context.
As you know, FC Tokyo has invited coach Albert, who aims for positional play, and has undergone a major transformation in style, valuing the ball. Even Yokohama FM, while maintaining their ultra-attacking mindset, saw key players such as Tiago Martins (currently with New York City FC) and Takahiro Ohgihara (currently with Vissel Kobe) seek new opportunities after supporting the team's league championship in the 2019 season. With the addition of many young players, the average age has decreased by about 2 years compared to last season, resulting in a lineup that can be called the "new Marinos".
With such a background, it is expected that the styles of both teams will fit together and resonate in this match. In other words, regardless of the outcome, it can be said that this is a great card that can maximize the entertainment value of football.
One of the key points is the high press of Yokohama FM vs the build-up of FC Tokyo. Although FC Tokyo has been improving since the opening match against Kawasaki Frontale, they are still in the early stages of development.
If you focus more on the defense, Yokohama FM will put strong pressure on GK Jakub SLOWIK, who serves as the starting point for the attackers, and how they will calculate the coordination of the press. Since there is no option to "set up," how much they can be trapped will be a barometer to measure the success or failure of attacking football. Paradoxically, it can also be said that FC Tokyo's refinement of build-up play will be tested against Yokohama FM, which boasts the highest tempo in the league.
In addition, Yokohama FM focuses on "immediate recovery" after losing the ball in attack. If they can regain possession of the ball in the transition from attack to defense, it will be Yokohama FM's pace. If they cannot stop FC Tokyo's strong counter-press, it will be FC Tokyo's momentum. This becomes one criterion for determining the battle for control.
In the past, Yokohama FM has won 3 consecutive matches against both teams. In those 3 matches, they scored 15 goals and conceded none. Even though FC Tokyo's system has changed, there are still many players who remember that time, and there is no bad image. Furthermore, this match is designated as the 30th anniversary commemorative game, so there is a reason why the club must absolutely win.
Against the serious Yokohama FM, it will be a great opportunity to see how well Alberto Tokyo, who is in good form with three consecutive wins, can compete against last season's second-place contender. In any case, the interest is endless and there is a sense of anticipation that a new exciting match will be born.
Text by Yohei Obayashi (Ergorasso Yokohama F.Marinos)
