<Albert PUIG ORTONEDA>
Q, how was today's practice match?
A, I am very satisfied not only with the first half but also with the second half. This is because there were many periods when the entire team clearly understood what I expected and played accordingly.
The first opponent, Ryukyu, lowered their block and defended, so there were many situations where we pressed and then countered after losing the ball and regained possession. I think the team did well. It was good that we were able to score goals from quick short counters in tight spaces.
The second match against Omiya had many attacks with space behind the defensive line because the opponent was trying to steal the ball from the front. Omiya intended to high press, but we were able to break through it successfully many times. The goal scored in the second match was a goal that took advantage of the space behind the opponent. It would have been great if we could have made more plays and goals like that, but the number of times was a challenge.
Through the first and second halves, I think the players felt the connection of being able to control the game by dominating the ball. Today, by firmly controlling the ball, we were able to dominate the game and prove that we were superior. It was a good game.
However, there are still many areas for improvement, so I look forward to future growth. We are now entering the third week of the preseason, but the important thing is that the entire team is beginning to understand and express on the pitch the playing style I expect. I respect various playing styles, including last year's Tokyo style. Changing from a playing style different from the one I expect is very difficult for the players, but I am glad that they are adapting well to it.
Q, it seemed that there was good coordination between offense and defense today.
A, the coordination between offense and defense was good, and the transition between offense and defense was also quick, so overall it is good news that the players' understanding is increasing.
The players have begun to understand the important concepts, but it will still take time to refine the finer details and improve the level of completion.
Q, it feels like a very difficult defense to press forward and defend in unison without delaying (slowing down) after being stolen.
A, I do not think that defending proactively is difficult at all. What I find interesting is that many Japanese teams first lower their defensive block when defending.
Most of the top-level European clubs maintain as high a block as possible from the middle zone and defend aggressively by pressing forward. I believe this is standard in modern football.
Q, was it because we were able to maintain a high position in today's match that we were able to create good attacks from there?
A, when you can defend while maintaining a high block, you can regain possession and launch good attacks from there. Rather than long-distance counters, I think we were able to play with quick transitions between offense and defense, moving toward the goal. However, for me, the ideal defense is to control the match by maintaining possession of the ball. Even if you win, it’s not about allowing many shots on goal; when you control both the ball and the match, as we did today, the opponent’s chances to shoot become almost zero. I do not believe that dropping the block and tightening the defense leads to better defending. First and foremost, I think maintaining possession is the best way to defend.
Q: After taking the ball, it is physically demanding to continue attacking towards the goal immediately, so it is necessary to have resting time while controlling the game, right?
A, the awareness of quickly switching between offense and defense and moving towards the goal, which I developed through the counterattack style of play until last year, will continue to be a strength this year as well, so I want to further refine and make the most of it.
The success rate decreases as the distance of the counter increases, and if it becomes only a counter, the opponent will dominate the ball, creating a vicious cycle where the defensive time becomes longer.
I believe there is still plenty of time needed to improve on controlling the game.
Q: The camp is coming to an end. How has the degree of penetration been so far in terms of embracing the new style of football?
A, I fully understand what the coach is saying. Recently, I have been able to try out what we aim to do in both practice and practice matches, so I want to continue working hard to be fully prepared and able to express it by the opening match.
Q, it is clear that the player is getting involved in goals and scoring goals himself during practice matches, and his condition is improving.
A, I believe not only myself but the entire team is not yet at 100%, but we want to further improve our condition and have everyone fully prepared by the opening match.
Q, how do you feel about the detailed positioning instructions from the coach and the combination with your teammates?
A: Yes, it is similar to the style I played in Brazil, so it is easy to understand things like positioning. I want to continue training and work on the finer details, such as the spacing between players.
<Makoto OKAZAKI>
Q: Do you feel that a new style has been permeating?
A, I don’t think I was told anything too difficult from the start, and the build-up part is something I have been doing since my time with FC Tokyo U-15. The style changed last year, and there were still parts that hadn’t fully taken root, so after a little over two weeks of camp, I finally feel that my thinking about how to move the ball has started to settle in. After playing today’s match, there were fewer moments where the team performed well, so we need to reflect on that. However, the fact that players have been able to talk with each other during the camp is a positive thing, and I believe we are heading in a good direction.
Q: Do you feel any difference in building up from the defense line compared to before?
A, from my perspective, if the opponent is not pressing, I think it's fine to hold onto the ball. There's no need to force a pass; I believe it's better to carry the ball forward by dribbling and then pass when the opponent closes in. On the other hand, basic things like making passes to set the tempo, avoiding giving the ball easily to the defensive midfielders, and reducing risk by circulating the ball from the outside—if I can adapt to what the coach is asking for in these aspects, that would be good.
Q, the season opening is finally approaching.
A: I think time is needed to improve our level of completion, but at the same time, we have to win. I want to value how much we can build up on the premise of victory while steadily winning through ball possession. Trial and error will continue even in official matches, and mistakes will happen during games. Since there are parts of defensive coordination that differ from before, I expect some misalignments in the early stages, but if we can play football that wins firmly even within that, I believe both the team and the players can grow.
Q, are you enjoying playing this football?
A, I enjoy touching the ball and playing, and building up from the back is a style that allows my characteristics to stand out easily, so I feel that I must be able to showcase myself there. If I can almost fully align my own sense with what the coach demands before the season starts, I believe the football will become even better.
