4/10 (Sun) vs Urawa Reds (Ajinomoto Stadium)
How to control "special"
The power relationship between FC Tokyo and Urawa Reds varies depending on the time period. While Urawa has a significant overall advantage, they have never been able to defeat FC Tokyo in the league from the 2001 season, when they first met, to the 2003 season.
However, since the 2004 season when Guido Buchwald became the coach, it has been a period of dominance for Urawa. Although FC Tokyo managed to win 1 game and draw 3 in the 2012 and 2013 seasons after returning from J2 relegation, from the 2014 season to the 2019 season when the tactics of coach Mihailo Petrovic took hold, Urawa had a period of unbeaten streak.
However, the situation changed drastically from the 2019 season, which marked the second year of Kenta Hasegawa's tenure as head coach. The long-standing unbeaten home record was broken, and Urawa was unable to defeat FC Tokyo in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons. It seemed that the era of FC Tokyo dominance had returned.
And, this is the end of a chapter in history. The problem starts from here. The 2021 season will be an epoch-making year for both clubs. As mentioned in the preview column for the Yokohama FM match, it was Marinos who handed over the baton to FC Tokyo in their era. However, it was actually Urawa who first lit the fuse.
Urawa, who lost to "Intense Confrontation," turned the helm one year earlier than FC Tokyo. They invited coach Ricardo Rodriguez and aimed for a style of play that would control the ball and push the opponent. The first display of this style of soccer was in the opening match of the 2021 season, and although the result ended in a 1-1 draw, Urawa continued to dominate the ball and the game.
In the 30th minute of the second round, FC Tokyo, who took the lead in the first minute, attacked Urawa with intensity, but Urawa gradually regained their composure and gradually overwhelmed them. Urawa pinned FC Tokyo in their own half and took a come-from-behind victory. From here, FC Tokyo suffered three consecutive losses and will face the fateful November 6th after a victory against Shimizu.
And this time, they will meet again. Both teams have become closer to each other, but in terms of the penetration of style, Urawa has the upper hand. However, FC Tokyo has the ability to decide the game. Looking at the results, FC Tokyo is in a mentally good state. Urawa is struggling a bit. For Urawa, it is a match where they want to suppress FC Tokyo's strong front line and regain confidence.
The key point to watch out for is how to contain each other's special players. The most dangerous player in the current Urawa is undoubtedly the new addition, David MOBERG. His dribbling from the right side to the center is sharp, and he also possesses a momentary speed and a powerful shot. If he is in top form, he can show us what a "genuine European player" is like. The matchup with Yuto NAGATOMO alone is worth seeing.
Text by Okinaga Yuichiro (Ergorasso Urawa Reds correspondent)
