[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: Tomorrow's match will mark your 100th game as a coach in Japan. Is it safe to say that every official match is more than just a game?
A: I have experienced 60 professional games as a head coach in New York, and tomorrow will be my 100th game as a manager of a top team. When asked if tomorrow is something special because of this, I would say it is not. However, on a personal level, I believe it will be a very memorable match for me.
Q: Players are required to kick the ball strongly and quickly while maintaining a certain distance from each other. The players seem to be making an effort, don't they?
A: If you analyze the Nagoya match, you will see that we controlled the opponent for much of the game. I am working to utilize the unique characteristics of each player. Based on that, we are gradually going through a process of changing the players' playing styles step by step. Aoki has made a wonderful contribution. However, he is not necessarily a player who can do everything as a clear single defensive midfielder. The two center backs are not players who have consistently built up play from the back; they are center backs who had different playing styles until last season. The fullbacks are players who have not been required to receive the ball next to the defensive midfielders. I also think Kuba (SLOWIK) has not frequently joined the attack. While making use of the characteristics of such players, we are seeking match results and steadily advancing the team's reform in stages.
When Leandro returns, he will surely bring a plus alpha to the team. The same goes for Kashif BANGNAGANDE's comeback. There are several players, including Renta HIGASHI, who are interesting and worth watching. Ryo WATANABE has also shown good growth. We are encouraging the growth of players who will lead the team in the future. However, it is not easy to balance both obtaining game results and growing. There is a clear difference in pace compared to three months ago. It is getting faster and faster. Gradually, good plays are emerging in positional games. The next step is to apply what we can do in practice to the game. I can feel that the game speed and passing speed have naturally become faster because they are gradually being seen in the game.
Q: Previously, you mentioned that a good pass makes a good sound. Is that one of the criteria that has been improving?
A: The quality of a player's play is influenced much more before receiving the ball than after receiving it. Many players can look around and think after receiving the ball. However, the play we seek is much faster, so if they think after receiving the ball, the play speed will drop. To maintain a high play speed, players must recognize many things and make decisions before receiving the ball. If they can do this properly, it will create a situation where the opposing team has no way to defend. For example, in a 100-meter race, if the start is not simultaneous and you can start anytime, the one who starts earlier wins. There is a possibility of being overtaken in the subsequent speed contest, but starting first and winning immediately after is natural. In soccer, since there is no fixed start signal, the brain makes judgments and engages in tactical maneuvers; if you win that, you hold the initiative, and if you have the ball, winning is natural. We must level up in this way, focus on competition, and accumulate points.
Japan needs to improve more in that aspect. The speed of decision-making, the mentality to focus on winning, and the level of players like Renta Higashi, who is 18 years old, if he were a player in Europe, he would have gained more experience in the world of high-level competition. The same can be said for South America. They would have gained a lot of experience playing in many matches in an environment where they have to focus on winning. Of course, I respect Japan, but how many high-level matches has Renta Higashi played in the past year where he really had to focus on winning? Young players in South America and Europe have experienced dozens of matches. This is where the difference in growth comes into play.
Nagatomo is one of the few Japanese players who has continued to perform at a high level in Europe. I don't think his technical level is particularly high. Why has he been able to compete at the top level for so long? There are many players in Japan with higher technical skills than him. However, why is it that those players cannot continue to succeed in Europe, leading to a gap? It is because Nagatomo possesses a strong mentality and has the mindset of a winner who is committed to competition.After the match against Belgium in the Russia World Cup, many commented that Japan is polite due to its innocence, does not complain to referees, and leaves the locker room clean. This is wonderful. I believe that the behavior of Japanese people is indeed a model in life. However, it is difficult to achieve something at a high level with just that kind of innocent mentality. A competitive mentality is necessary. I believe that improving both the speed of situational judgment and the competitive mentality is what Japanese football needs.
Q, do you have high expectations for young players tomorrow as well?
A: I want to continue giving young players opportunities, and I want to provide playing time to those who need it to maintain their match rhythm. Especially for young players, I want them to seize these chances and clearly showcase their talents. While maintaining a good balance in this regard, we want to compete in the Levain Cup.
Q: Please tell us your evaluation of player Takahagi's response to the interview.
A, he is truly wonderful, a veteran player who serves as a role model for young players and someone who brings calmness to them. This applies both mentally and in terms of football. He also possesses truly excellent technique. I wish I had met him when I was 20 years old. He is an outstanding player. In addition, he is a superb professional. His behavior both on and off the pitch is truly perfect.
[Player Interview]
Yojiro TAKAHAGI
Q, I think you are often used in a more offensive position, closer to the forward position, this season. It seems that the coach is sending a message by using players who are good at dribbling in a position that seems to require speed. How do you feel about that role?
A, rather than focusing on a specific role, I am conscious of contributing to the team with what I can do. Of course, there are parts where I need to take appropriate positioning as part of the team’s tactics. Since it is difficult to become faster, I hope to bring out qualities through different plays that other players do not have.
Q: The team has been having consecutive 0-0 matches and I think we need goals. (Player Takahagi), while executing team tactics proficiently, how do you plan to utilize your individual skills to contribute to scoring?
A, I believe I am expected not only to maintain solid possession of the ball but also to deliver decisive passes at key moments. I want to play with the awareness to create many such opportunities during the match.
Q, do you want to increase the number of chances because even if you go as planned, it doesn't mean it will be successful?
A, I want to create many decisive scenes.
Q, I'm also looking forward to goals.
A, Since I am in an attacking position, I want to play in a way that involves me as much as possible in scoring goals.
Q: It is expected that Iwata will use a 5-back formation. What is your response to that?
A, I think they will form a defensive block and defend. In our previous match, they did not press from the front line, so I want to position myself between the opponents, creating a situation where they have to slide defensively, while making runs to target the space behind their defensive line against a withdrawn opponent.
Q, if you don't have awareness to move forward, the opponent won't collapse, right?
A, that's right. I want to take positions that allow vertical passes to be delivered accurately.
Q: Do you feel confident that you can adapt to this football by bringing out what you have done so far?
A: I can be involved in the attack through my own play and I think I can also add variations. As for defense, I believe a high level of intensity is required, so I hope to play with that awareness.
Q, where to put spaces, I think it is important in soccer that is currently working on intentionally creating spaces, what is necessary for that?
A, as the coach also says, in football known as positional play, if you can take positions that trouble the opponent with your positioning, the opponent will have to slide and will no longer be able to come to steal the ball. I want to take such positioning.
Q, what is the factor that makes the team work well together? Is it because they continue without getting impatient?
A, I think that is part of it. However, I don't think it is easy to fully instill the tactics. I believe it is important to continue patiently.
Q: How are you feeling about tomorrow's game?
A, if we lose, we are eliminated, so we just have to win. As a team, we play to win in order to advance to the next stage. I will focus solely on giving 100% and playing with that mindset of what I can do to achieve that.
Q, is it about continuing to win in order to create a place to appeal as a player like Takahagi?
A, even if I play well, nothing will change unless we win, so I want to win, produce results, and break into the competition within the team.
