This could be a 9-day period where we can say, "This was the turning point," when this season ends.
A three-match series against three clubs participating in the AFC Champions League, Yokohama F.Marinos, Vissel Kobe, and Urawa Reds, with only three days of rest in between. The schedule is tough, but it is also tough in terms of facing league top teams from last season and cup title holders in consecutive matches.
First of all, tomorrow we will play against Yokohama FM away. The memory of when we played away last season is something that no one involved with this club will forget. However, Tokyo has welcomed coach Alberto this season and is working on a new style under a new concept. It would be uncouth to bring up the story of revenge from last season. Instead, let's imagine the outcome of this match with excitement for the progress towards the future that the new Tokyo team can make against the team that finished second in the league last season, rather than with a negative mindset.
For a detailed tactical analysis, please refer to soccer writer Satoshi Hojo's preview article "ACL participating teams' three consecutive matches: 'A battle between similar entities'". Both teams adhere to the belief of intense pressing and ball possession from the front line.
Tokyo is creating chances with intense pressing and short counters, and Yokohama FM also has fast players in the front line, coming to finish off the opponent in one go on the counter. In particular, the performance of the players in the wing position will likely hold the key to the battle for dominance. At Yokohama FM, players like Elber and Teruhito Nakagawa, and at Tokyo, players like Adailton and Kazuya Konno, it is important to see how much they can get involved with the ball and how well they can work in positions close to the opponent's goal.
Also, in terms of efficiently using the forward players, it will be crucial for Tokyo to determine at which position in the midfield they can win the ball, as it will greatly influence the flow of the game. By utilizing the strength and speed of players Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI in the physical battles, they aim to win the ball as close to the opponent's goal as possible and fully utilize the breakthrough abilities of Adailton and Konno.
Tokyo currently has times when they cannot connect the ball well within the 90 minutes and there are waves in expressing a new style. In terms of the team's completeness, it seems that Yokohama FM, entering the second season under the command of the coach, has an advantage. On the other hand, in the rapid improvement in quality in about two and a half months since Coach Albert took office, if they can win against an opponent with one of the best attacking powers in the league, they will be able to gain a very big confidence.
To accelerate growth, we want to bring back as many points as possible from Yokohama.
