Q: Is there a feeling of fitting in with the team in your first season after transferring?
A: Yes. When I transferred last time, it took quite a while to fit in, so I was worried, but since Kensuke-san, my senior from university, was here and helped me blend in very well from the training camp, I think I have been able to fit into the team so far.
Q: Was positional play something you experienced for the first time as a player for the team, Kimoto?
A: During my time at Cerezo, LOTINA was the coach who instructed me on positional play, so I’m not as particular about positions as he was. In that sense, I think I’m able to perform smoothly and effectively.
Q, how does Kimoto express the positional play he works on with coach Albert?
A, it's difficult, but while valuing possession, we never forget to aim for the goal. Defensively, we aggressively press from the front to maximize the time we hold the ball. Therefore, unless we raise our level both offensively and defensively, we cannot approach the ideal style of football, and I think we are still quite far from it.
Q, looking back on this, what stage do you think the team is at in terms of the vision for the desired style of football?
A, there are matches where we have been able to do it and matches where we haven't, but I think the awareness of valuing the ball has changed significantly since the start of the season. Although I don't think that has yet been reflected in the results, the possession rate has increased considerably in terms of numbers. In that sense, I believe we have been consciously valuing the ball more.
Q, there was also an evaluation that coach Albert has transitioned to the next phase as a team. I think it indicates that the possession rate has increased, but do you feel any difficulties towards the end of the first half?
A, soccer is not a game where a higher possession rate directly leads to results, so there are matches where you lose despite having high possession, and conversely, there are times when you win even without holding the ball much. In that sense, at the beginning of the first half, although the opponents had more possession time, we were able to make adjustments and get results, but recently, even though we have possession, we struggle to score and sometimes concede goals on the counterattack, losing points, so there is difficulty. However, the style of soccer we aim for is an attacking game that values possession, so in that regard, if we can produce results with what we have been doing recently, it will boost our confidence, and we want to keep focusing on that.
Q, in soccer where the ball is valued, Kimoto's position has become a starting point. In that, in the early stages of the game, there were scenes where long feeds were very effective, and there were also plays where short passes and middle passes were added as a decoy. How do you feel about the construction of that area?
A, I have the impression that at the beginning we used a lot of long balls. On the other hand, as that was analyzed and it became clear that relying only on long balls doesn’t create chances, I think it’s important to connect more with short passes from the back. Furthermore, if we can use not only short passes but also long passes selectively, it will be harder for the opponents to catch us. If the players in the back can skillfully adjust that balance, I believe the team can grow even more.
Q: In the next phase, I think the key is what actions the team can take after pushing the opponent. Do you see anything for the second half of the match?
A, if we continue to grow, the time we hold the ball will increase, meaning we will have longer possession in the opponent's territory. In that sense, by connecting passes a little more slowly while improving our finishing ability and creating more chances, I believe we can score goals and gain more points. Also, the defenders will likely face more counterattacks than before, so I think risk management and the ability to defend even when outnumbered during counter situations will be required.
