<Match Review>
In the middle of the week, sandwiched between the Levain Cup match against Avispa Fukuoka, we welcomed the 14th round of the J1 League in just 2 days. With a tight schedule, we will play 3 games in just 3 days starting today. For Tokyo, who have been struggling to win in the league for 3 games, this is an important match to turn the tide and gain both confidence in their soccer style and 3 points at this point in the season.
The opponent, Kashiwa Reysol, is in good form as they are currently in 4th place. As for Tokyo, who has dropped in rank in the past 3 games, they will aim to gain 3 points and keep up with the top teams. Captain Masato MORISHIGE, who was out due to injury, has returned to the team and will face a young and energetic Kashiwa team along with a stable defense.
Tokyo was the first to create a chance right from the start. In the 3rd minute of the first half, a sharp pass was sent to left winger Adailton, and Shuto ABE dove in to the ball that was dropped between defenders with a one-touch, exploiting the gap and moving towards the goal. Although his shot was blocked in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, it showed a direction to break through the attacking zone with a change of pace. However, from this point on, Kashiwa increased their intensity at the ball and it became difficult to build up play, leading to more time being spent on the back foot. In the 20th minute of the first half, they targeted the space behind the defensive line, but Jakub SLOWIK closed the gap at the right moment and made a block with his body. In the 25th minute of the first half, they allowed an incursion deep down the right side, and a sharp ball was sent into the goal area, but this too was saved by SLOWIK, escaping danger. Towards the end of the first half, there were more instances of carefully moving the ball, and they had more time to push the opponent back, but they couldn't create a fast-paced breakdown like at the start due to the opponent's quick return. On the defensive side, Tokyo also responded quickly to the opponent's fast vertical attacks, preventing any decisive situations and taking the game into halftime.
In the second half, the opponent, who had strengthened their vertical propulsion, pushed our formation down and we struggled to mount a counterattack. In the 15th minute of the second half, we were awarded a free kick outside the penalty area, and Matheus SAVIO aimed for a direct shot, but it hit the crossbar. Tokyo's tempo in attack did not increase, but in the 22nd minute of the second half, Hotaka NAKAMURA crossed the ball from the right side, and the ball that hit the opponent defender near the goal spilled in front of the goal, and Ryoma WATANABE, who was closing in, touched it with one touch, but it went wide of the goal. In the 28th minute of the first half, Ryoya OGAWA saw that the opponent's defensive line was high and sent the ball behind them. Kensuke NAGAI, who came on as a substitute, broke free and aimed for the goal from a difficult angle on the left side of the goal, but his shot hit the corner of the goal and was saved by the opponent goalkeeper.
In the 32nd minute of the second half, Adailton received the ball on the left side and swung his right foot powerfully from the cut-in, but the ball went over the goalkeeper's extended arm and hit the crossbar.
As the pressure towards the goal increased and the expectation of shaking the net grew, in the 44th minute of the second half, a corner kick from the left was packed in the chaotic battle in front of the goal and the goal was broken, but it was cancelled due to a handball decision with the support of VAR. They tried to counterattack in the remaining additional time, but were unable to break the goal and the game ended in a 0-0 tie.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: There was a decisive chance right after kickoff. If we had converted that chance, I think the flow of the game would have been different. This season, the J1 League is very evenly matched. Whether or not you can finish in those final moments greatly influences the course of the game.
After that, I think we had a long period of time where we were able to move the ball well and dominate the game, but there were too many passes at our feet and we didn't make enough plays to take advantage of the space.
The team has been spending a long time pushing forward. In the midst of that, we are working on improving our ability to guard against counterattacks after losing the ball. Today, we saw some improvement in that aspect, but we still need to improve further and also reduce the number of times we lose the ball. In the second half, we had about 15 minutes of good momentum. We wanted to take advantage of the chances we created and control the game, but we couldn't.
The second half continued with a close match. There were chances for Kashiwa, and there was a possibility of losing if they were scored. The opponent scored from a corner kick towards the end of the game, but the goal was canceled with the support of VAR. It was a close match where it was possible to lose if that had been scored.
In the past few games, the team has been able to control the game for longer periods of time and I think we have been able to express that the team is growing in a positive direction. However, there have been some instances where we have easily lost the ball that we should not have lost. From those situations, the opponent has been able to create chances, so we need to improve a little more and make sure we don't lose the ball unnecessarily.
The days I have played with this playing style are not yet long. There are still unbalanced parts, such as too many plays at the feet or too many plays to the space. I must grow to be able to balance the plays at the feet and the plays to the space. For the players, I think it is difficult because we are asking for plays that are clearly different from the soccer they have been playing so far. However, I have no doubt that the playing style we are aiming for will lead to the growth of each player. The team is moving in a good direction.
If we had been able to bring Leandro on in the second half, he would have brought a lot to the team, and if we had been able to bring Keita YAMASHITA on in the second half, I think he would have similarly been a positive addition to the team. However, both of these players have been away from training due to discomfort. Also, during today's match, Diego and Nagatomo also felt discomfort, so we substituted them early.
Q, please tell us as much as possible about the discomfort that Nagatomo player mentioned.
A: From the beginning of the season, I have told the players to stop playing immediately if they feel even a slight discomfort. Forcing themselves to play can lead to serious injuries. I have instructed them to speak up right away to prevent the risk from becoming greater.
Nagatomo felt a slight discomfort, so we brought in Hotaka NAKAMURA. I think Hotaka covered well for Nagatomo's absence. Nagatomo's condition is not severe enough to be called an injury. There was a place where he felt discomfort, and I thought it had fully healed, but that might not have been the case. We made the substitution as a precaution. I don't think there is any cause for concern.
Q: The opponent's midfield defense was solid, and it seemed like our midfield trio was being contained. How did you prepare for that?
A: I can answer yes to that. More importantly, what I always ask of the players is to make appropriate decisions according to the situation and find solutions. Naturally, we can prepare by predicting the opponent’s approach as part of the game plan. However, not all matches unfold as expected. I require the players on the pitch to fully recognize what is happening in the game and solve problems as they arise. For example, in the second half, we deployed Ryoma WATANABE as the right winger. This was because we expected him to cut inside from the flank and play centrally. I believe this was one of the intentional solutions we had in mind.
It is indeed impossible to convey all the anticipated problems and their solutions to each player during the match. Rather, I believe it is more effective for players to develop the smart play of recognizing problems themselves and figuring out how to overcome them. For example, today, Diego made several good runs behind the defense, but the ball holders did not notice these runs and failed to utilize them effectively. That is one of the areas we need to improve.
At the beginning of the season, we aimed to avoid playing in the center as much as possible and build up our play. The opponents naturally come up with countermeasures for this, and as our team's completion level increases, we gradually start using the center more. There are also good plays happening in the center. However, there is a flow where we lose the ball due to unexpected mistakes and the opponent's attack is born from there, so we need to improve on that point.
We are asking players who have been playing with different play styles for about 4 seasons to clearly seek a different play style. It is very difficult to adapt to it. We are asking players to solve the problem themselves. I think it is a difficult task for the players. However, by continuing this, if each player can realize the problem and overcome it on their own, the completeness of the team will increase dramatically.
[Player Interview]
＜Kensuke NAGAI Player＞
Q, how did you see the attacking part from the bench until you entered the pitch?
A, since there were hardly any players breaking behind the opponent's defense, I was watching with the thought that if I could receive the ball behind, I might be able to stretch the opponent's formation.
Q, did you actually feel an improved sense when you stepped onto the pitch?
A, I had about two chances, and I feel it was my responsibility that I couldn't score then. If I had scored there, I think the flow of the game would have changed. I feel that we need to challenge ourselves to increase the number of opportunities in front of the goal from the first half.
Q, Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda says that the team is starting to get a grip on the ball and it's the next stage, but as a forward player, how do you feel about the sense of accomplishment and challenges?
A, I feel that the opponents are gradually studying us more, so we also need to be creative and add something extra beyond what we have done so far in order to increase our scoring. I want to thoroughly work on the accuracy of crosses after pushing forward, who enters where, and how we compete for the ball.
Q, I came on as a substitute and immediately created a chance. After that, there were also times when the ball didn't come out easily.
A, it also depends on the relationship with my teammates, and after the match, we discuss points for improvement among the players. I believe chances will gradually increase, and I want to keep demanding and continue working on it moving forward.
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q, do you have the impression that you were able to hold the ball firmly when looking back on today's match, or do you have the impression that you were able to hold it but it didn't go well afterwards?
A, not only in today's match but also in several recent matches where we haven't gotten results, even though we have had a higher possession rate, the impression is strong that the opponents are not afraid of us; rather, it feels like we are being allowed to hold the ball. I believe that how unpleasantly we can circulate the ball and attack for the opponent will be a crucial point in changing the flow going forward.
Q: How did Kashiwa think about breaking through as a team while tightening the center?
A, even though we are gradually able to play the style of football we aim for, it doesn't mean we can suddenly perform at 100%. I believe that unless we develop the ability to exploit the opponent's weak points during the match, it will be difficult to score goals. Therefore, I want the players to exchange opinions more actively and work on improving together.
Q, although we couldn't win, how do you perceive the fact that the losing streak has stopped?
A, I had the desire to win at home, but there were also moments at the end when we were helped by VAR. In the past few matches, there have been issues with how the games have ended, so I want to make sure we stay focused until the very end to finish the matches properly.
Q: Is the ideal style of football somewhat permeating, or is it still in the process of permeating but facing countermeasures from opponents, resulting in a situation where it hasn't quite reached the next level?
A, I have a sense that the style of football the coach is seeking is gradually being realized, and even though there is a gap compared to last year's style, I feel it is slowly coming together.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q, how was it to enter the game in the middle of the second half?
A, the three players up front were making the same movements, so I thought it would be necessary for me to receive the ball in the center when I came on, and I believe the coach had that intention when putting me into the game. Hotaka NAKAMURA stayed wide on the side, and my movement inside created several good opportunities. Of course, there was a chance where I could have scored, and I should have finished it, but I think it was good that we were able to make some changes during the match.
Q, what was your goal during the time you had possession of the ball?
A, simply holding possession of the ball is meaningless, so I thought it was important to deliver vertical passes to break down the opponent's defense. When the opponent has five defenders, space opens up in midfield, so I envisioned exploiting that effectively. If the period like the end of the second half had continued a bit longer, there was a possibility that we could have scored a goal.
Q, what did you think about the opponent's attempt to counterattack after stealing the ball?
A, the players in the back were managing the risks well against the counterattacks, so when I came on, I left it to the defenders and focused on playing my role. I was only thinking about scoring goals.
Q, how was the teamwork as a team?
A, currently, the style of play changes depending on who is on the field. The key is how well we can adapt to the style of football that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA demands. Of course, it is important to play according to each player's individual characteristics, but even within that, a solid foundation is necessary. Without that, the game becomes difficult, so I believe that if we can build it together through mutual communication, we will be able to grow.
Q, there were many scenes where crosses were raised while effectively using the sides.
A, when attacking from the sides, the center opens up, and conversely, when attacking through the center, the sides open up, so I think it is important for the players to have a shared understanding of how to use this alternation. I believe we were able to do that toward the end of the match and get close to scoring. Ultimately, scoring goals is the most important part, and since that is what we are working on, we need to pursue it even more thoroughly.
