＜Match Preview＞
After achieving a 3-0 victory at home against Sapporo, the subsequent away match against Urawa ended in a 0-3 defeat. The team's performance in the last 5 matches has been inconsistent, with 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 losses, conceding 12 goals in total. It is urgent to make defensive adjustments.
Shuto ABE, who had been sidelined with a right calf injury amid a tough battle, returned to the team's full training from July 13. The comeback of the reliable midfielder is great news. Abe said, "I missed three league matches and objectively felt something. When I step on the pitch, I want to raise the intensity higher than before the injury and have a positive impact on the team," expressing his strong determination to lift the entire team.
This time, the opponent we will face at home is Iwata, who returned to the J1 League this season. Tokyo has already played against them three times, including the Levain Cup, and has 1 draw and 2 losses with no victories. Iwata is currently on a three-game losing streak in the league and is facing a tough battle, but it will definitely not be an easy match. The key to the game will be how to break down the opponent's defense, which is solidified with a five-back formation.
Because there are many injured players and the situation is tough, the overall strength of the team, including young players, will be tested. We also hope for the emergence of new heroes to energize the team for the future.
Matchday program is here!
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, I felt that today's practice time was longer than usual.
A, today we conducted sprint training in conjunction with the finish. It may have become longer as a result of that.
Q: Did you focus on shooting practice and training towards the goal this week, considering that there was no goal in the previous match?
A, rather than that, we emphasized training to hold the ball. We have also conveyed to the players that holding the ball is valuable, and if the players can understand and express it throughout this season, it can be considered a sufficient success. It is one of the major goals of this season. Of course, many people may think it is easy to understand, but understanding and expressing it from the heart is never easy.
For example, even in the Urawa game, we lost the ball too easily and gave them chances. I think the players still don't fully understand how important it is not to lose the ball, so mistakes happen. It takes time to improve. Therefore, we have emphasized and trained on that aspect.
Many players have been struggling to maintain possession of the ball because they have been expressing a play style that values speed and urgency. For example, it is difficult to make players understand that holding onto the ball is a better defensive strategy than narrowing the space and playing a solid defense, or aggressively pressing. For me, the best defensive approach is to not lose the ball. In addition to improving in that aspect, there are also many players who are fatigued due to the increased playing time caused by injuries. This may also be affecting our performance, as there have been many instances where we have lost the ball, as you can see when looking back at Urawa's goals. Most of their chances were created from our mistakes.
Q, I think the soccer philosophy of ball possession was cultivated by Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA in Spain. How did he teach the importance of ball possession to the local people in Spain?
A, I think there may be some misunderstandings. Both Liverpool and Bayern Munich value the ball. I also think Paris Saint-Germain values the ball. It's not just Spain that values the ball. To express modern football, you must understand the importance of possessing the ball. Once you understand that, there is work to bring out the strengths of the players in front of you. If there is a player who is good at making runs in the front line, it is important to play in a way that brings out that characteristic. However, in order to do that, it is important to possess the ball. Not losing the ball easily is valued in any country or region. I think many teams in the Europa League value the ball.
For example, in Spain, there are not many players who are good at making runs into space. Therefore, I think it is a characteristic to break through with short passes. As for Germany, there are many players who are good at making runs into space and shooting from the middle. While taking advantage of that, they also value the ball. If we lose the ball easily like in the recent Urawa game, we cannot expect to play as we want. Losing the ball is not good, it is a ball loss from simple mistakes. We must learn that as a foundation.
Q, this will be the 4th round of matches against Iwata this season.
A, I have told the players that Iwata is a team that can greatly change their playing style depending on the course of the game. They are skilled at both ball possession and combination play. They are also adept at lowering their defensive block and launching counter-attacks. On the other hand, when they want to score, they often rely on more direct play. Depending on the course of the game, they are a very dangerous team that can change their playing style significantly. Therefore, they are a difficult opponent to face. However, our players have been able to recover from fatigue in a good condition. And, since we have been able to play well and achieve good results in home games this season, we hope to have another good game tomorrow.
Q, I think I have been associated with Coach Ito since my time in Kofu.
A, yes. I have fought against Coach Ito many times, so I am fully aware of his characteristics. There were several matches when I was in charge of Kofu where we conceded goals in the final minutes. However, in Niigata, we also scored goals and won in the final minutes. I think he is a good coach. I hope it will be a good match.
[Player Interview]
＜Shuto ABE＞
Q: After getting injured, you made a quick return. What were you conscious of during this period and how did you approach it?
I spent the absence period hoping to recover from the injury as soon as possible and return to the pitch.
Q, how is your condition?
A, I think I can approach the game in perfect condition because I had a proper rest during the rehabilitation period.
Q, we won the Sapporo match with a large goal difference, but lost the Urawa match with a large goal difference. I think there are extreme differences between winning and losing, but what factors are causing this?
When the team is in a good state, they are able to score multiple goals. In games that are not going well, it is very important to think about how to play in order to improve in a direction where they do not concede multiple goals.
Q: We have played against Iwata many times this season. What kind of impression do you have?
A, moving the ball from player Endo as a starting point, sometimes using long balls. They also send crosses and have multiple patterns, so it gives a negative impression when playing against them.
Q: What plays does the team need to make in order to win?
First of all, it is important for each individual not to lose to the opponent in front of them. I think the game will come down to who can pick up the loose second ball when the opponent uses a long ball. I think it is really important to take control of the game at our own pace, so I want to play with the awareness of picking up the second ball.
Q, I think that with the return of Abe, there will be more plays in the midfield to win the ball and pick up second balls, which will increase the time for attacking.
I want to make the most of my own characteristics and contribute to the team by playing. I missed three games and caused trouble for the team, so I feel that I have to do it in the Iwata match, and I also want to aim for goals while showing my own characteristics.
Q, please share your enthusiasm with the fans and supporters.
Since it's a home game, I think a lot of fans and supporters will come to Ajinomoto Stadium. I want to give them 3 points as a present, and (after the Iwata match ends) since there will be a gap until the next game at Ajinomoto Stadium, I want to approach the next away game after delivering a solid victory.
Yuki KAJIURA
Q: How do you feel about making your J-League debut in the home Sapporo match and starting in the following Urawa match? Looking back on the two games.
Regarding the Sapporo.D match, I felt that I was able to play my own game from the beginning. In the Urawa match, my rhythm was slightly disrupted and it led to conceding a goal due to one mistake. I think if I had been able to make adjustments and switch quickly after making a mistake, the result would have been different. So, I want to use this experience to my advantage in the next match.
Q, Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda always emphasizes "giving opportunities to young players". Do you feel hopeful?
I think that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is a coach who gives opportunities to all players, not just young players. If you can't produce results, you won't be able to continue playing in the matches. I think that's very normal in the professional world.
Q, what kind of play is the coach expecting from you?
A, it is not just me, but inside half players are expected to have a high defensive intensity. I am good at predicting on the defensive side, so I want to become a player who can play with strong intensity in the game and show my own style.
Q, this week's opponent, Iwata, is the team that Almir scored his first professional goal in the away game of the Levain Cup. Don't you think we can approach it with a good image?
I was happy to achieve the result of scoring a goal, but at the same time, I felt a great frustration from losing the game. It was a match that made me keenly aware of the harshness of being a professional.
Q, please share your enthusiasm with the fans and supporters.
When I stepped onto the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium for the Sapporo match, I got goosebumps and felt the determination to not lose. The team is currently not in a good situation, but we will never hang our heads. We will continue to stick to our current style, play a game that makes you all want to support us more, and deliver a victory as a united team.
Matchday program is here!
