Yesterday, we won the Emperor's Cup match against Verdy and the game we led is still undefeated with 3 wins and 1 draw. Peter CKLAMOVSKI, who has improved the team's situation despite taking over in the middle of the season. Tokyo, who had lost three consecutive games just before his appointment, what has changed under the new coach?
On July 1st, Mr. Takashi MIZUNUMA provided commentary for the Kashiwa Reysol match and on July 8th, for the Urawa Reds match. He spoke about the changes in Tokyo.
Commentary: Takashi MIZUNUMA
Q, what is the most noticeable change after the switch from Coach Albert to Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI?
Takashi MIZUNUMA
Above all, it's the defense that is showing results, isn't it? They have kept a clean sheet for three consecutive matches. It is clear that the strength has improved. Tokyo clearly has the ability to produce results when they have a clear plan. Right now, I think they are in that state. With the arrival of a new coach, the defense has improved in a good way, and they have kept a clean sheet in all three matches. Now, it is important to see how they can connect the attack from here.
Q, please tell me specifically where you feel the change in defense.
Mr. Mizunuma
The strength of the center-back is completely different, isn't it? It depends on whether the center-back can intercept the vertical pass that the opponent's forward enters or not. Coach Klamovski often uses the word "rule", but the center-back should be in a position where they must absolutely intercept the vertical pass. In that case, the surrounding players take their positions assuming that the center-back will intercept, and I think the subsequent formation is also organized. Some teams "blur" this, and in Japan, there are many teams that stay a little with opponents who take the intermediate position, so they are not afraid even if they stay there, and they catch them when they come into the goal area to defend. However, the current Tokyo has eliminated this "blur". Therefore, if they can win the ball in a high position, the short counterattack will definitely work. I think that's the biggest change. Watching these three matches, Henrique Trevisan seems to become a key player in defense.
Q, what is your impression of the three games since Coach Klamovski took office?
Mr. Mizunuma
The Nagoya Grampus match had a really good way of scoring goals. I think the intensity of aiming for both goals in the form of a short counterattack led to the goals. In the Kashiwa Reysol match, we were able to effectively seal the opponent's offense and only allowed them to take 3 shots. The goals were also scored in a different way from the Nagoya match, with involvement from wide players. However, in the Urawa Reds match, we were exposed to long balls and our defense was broken down from the front line.
Q, at this point, do you feel that creating rhythm in defense also leads to rhythm in attack?
Mr. Mizunuma
In the Nagoya match, the number of sprints exceeded 156 and the running distance was also higher. In the Kashiwa match, the number of sprints was slightly lower, but the running distance was higher. However, in the Urawa match, the running distance was higher, but we lost in the number of sprints, so I may have had the image of being forced to run. Intensity is easy to understand when looking at the number of sprints, so there may have been a feeling that I couldn't go on the defensive.
Q, Please give us a preview of the Kashima Antlers match on July 16th (Sunday).
Mr. Mizunuma
I think the most important part is the transition because both teams have a high intensity. Coach Klamovski talks a lot about transition, but Kashima is not inferior in that aspect. Also, they may come with power-based long balls, so it's important not to be intimidated. If we look at it positively that we didn't lose at the difficult Saitama Stadium 2002, our winning percentage at Ajinomoto Stadium is high, and we are currently in good form, so I think we have a good chance of winning.
Q, After the Kashima game, we will enter the break period, but what needs to happen for the team to become an interesting one in the future?
Mr. Mizunuma
I think it will change more if a winger like Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Adailton return. It will be interesting if we have talented players like them in the front line. It's big that Kyosuke TAGAWA has returned. The question is who will connect the back line and the front line. The best option is for Ryoma WATANABE to be in the center and Teruhito NAKAGAWA to be on the right. Wide players are often wingers, so it's important to gather people in the center to create space on the outside. In that sense, I don't think there is a "key" position here.
Q, It seems that the stability of the defense that you mentioned at the beginning will be the key to connecting to the attack in the future.
Mr. Mizunuma
Because it is impossible to improve both offense and defense at the same time, it is natural for Coach Klamovski to think that he needs to first improve the number of goals conceded. However, what Coach Klamovski is aiming for is not only defensive strength, but also how to take control in the attack. Even at Yokohama F.Marinos under Coach Ange Postecoglou, as well as at Shimizu S-Pulse and Montedio Yamagata where he coached, they were able to play very good soccer when they had control in the attack. It is about how to bring that state to Tokyo. I think that work is still ahead, so I would like to keep an eye on it.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golazo, FC Tokyo Correspondent)
