NEWS
"What to show through 90 minutes" Coach Rafal Janas (regular interview 6/26)
On the 26th, coach Rafal Janas (Rafa) held a press conference online, and talked about his enthusiasm and the team's current situation for the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 12 match against Shonan Bellmare, which will be held at Saitama Stadium on the 28th.
Until now, coach Maciej Skorza answered media questions at the regular pre-match press conference, but this time coach Rafa is in charge. In Poland, the team led by Maciej has done so, and as a new initiative for the Reds, the coaches will hold a press conference. Coach Rafa participated in the press conference this time, but other coaches are scheduled to hold interviews irregularly in the future.
(I think it's the first time you've attended a pre-match press conference with the Reds, how are you feeling now?)
"I don't have any special feelings. In Poland, I used to appear at press conferences like this. It's my first time in Japan, so I'm happy to see everyone's faces like this."
(How are you preparing for the Shonan Bellmare match?)
“We are preparing as usual, but there are not many days between games because of the back-to-back matches. Ideally, we would only have matches on weekends in a normal cycle, but in that situation we are accelerating things. There were some injuries in the match against Kawasaki Frontale the other day, but we are preparing in the best possible way.”
(I heard that coach Rafa is in charge of attack, how do you feel about the Reds' attack now?)
“I think we are gradually getting better. We want to play offensive and clean football, not a team that focuses on defense and aim for counterattacks. Defending and counterattacking is modern football. I can't say that, it's not the way we do it.I think positional football is beautiful and it's almost art.In football, a lot of managers try to create chances while playing good football, clean football. However, creating chances is the most difficult thing in football.At the start of the season, three key players in the offense were missing: Matsuo (Yusuke), Esaka (Ten), and Kasper (Junker). They were players who appeared in 30 or 40 games, and the front-line players for the Reds this season include (Koroki) Shinzo, (Jose) Kante, (Takahashi) Toshiki, and (Hayakawa) Junpei. Compared to last season, it's a new player.(Yasui) Kaito didn't play much last season.Bryan (Linssen) also played only 3 games last season.So the front lineup has changed completely. I think you can say that.
The players are new, the coaching staff is new, and the football they play is new for them. We also play connecting soccer, but not only that, we are also trying to attack the space behind the opponent. In such a place, evolution is seen in daily training. We also have individual training for the front line players after practice. It's getting better, but I think we're still far from where we want to be.
We won the (YBC) Levain Cup against Kawasaki 2-1 at home, and I think we had a good time. There was a good scene in the match against Kawasaki in the previous section. I would like to increase the number of such scenes as much as possible and show them throughout the 90 minutes, and I am practicing for that.”
(What do you want most from the players in the final third?)
“I am practicing my movements. By moving up front, I can create space for other players. Against Kawasaki, I think Toshiki was doing well in the first half, but I gave him the ball at just the right time. Also, we practice one-on-one in the final third.We aim to win against the opponent with such a mechanism.And we also practice shooting with the players, including myself.Striker They practice shooting with their right or left foot from anywhere in the penalty area, and they say words of encouragement to hit mid-range shots. There are some players who have very good shots from close range, but when it comes to the game, they try to get closer to the goal without taking shots from there, so I want them to show their good plays.”
(When creating tactics for a match, does Coach Rafa come up with it and present it to Coach Maciej?
“Our coaching staff members, including the coach in charge of analysis, are always talking to the coach about ideas. He also asks a lot of questions. However, I often talk about how to make the members who appear in it demonstrate their skills.It is about how to make them exert their strength.There are various opinions within the coaching staff, and there are times when it becomes a discussion. However, we both give explanations that the other party can understand, and the director makes the final decision after listening to them.”
(I was talking about ``positional football is beautiful'', but are there any attacking methods and tactics that you refer to in Europe? For example, Manchester City have a unique positioning, but do you refer to that? )
“I see coaches more often than teams. When I was in Poland, I used to visit the training camps of different teams every summer break. For example, Thomas Tuchel of Borussia Dortmund. I went to see Jürgen Klopp practice, I'm a fan of both coaches and I love Pep Guardiola's style, I think I've been to training camp like that 10 or 12 times. And the managers I mentioned earlier practice in different ways, each manager has won a lot of titles, so it's not like there's only one way to win titles. I think about it.I incorporate ideas into my team that I think are good to watch practice, but the players are different, so I can't copy them completely.But I can take the ideas home.These coaches' training By visiting the camp, I think I was able to grow as a coach, so I think it was very good.”
(Earlier, it was said that when it comes to a match, "I try to get closer to the goal without hitting middle shots", but it is said that such a determination is different between Japanese players and European players, and Japanese players It has long been said that people tend to pass the ball to the next person rather than making their own conclusions.Do you ever feel that way when you come to Japan?
"I don't think so. I think that just changing the style and habits a little will change that. I think we can go that way, and like I said, it will take some time, and I don't think it's a question of determination or motivation, the players are very high in that respect. I think the important thing is to decide which play to choose.
I would also like to add one more decision. One of the stories I heard when I came to the Reds in January was that if the Reds concede first, they can't win the game. And I thought that I had to change that in order to fight for the title. I think mental aspects are important. And this season, we were able to win five games in which we conceded goals earlier, so I feel that that part has changed. For example, in our home game against Cerezo Osaka at Urawa Komaba Stadium, we scored two goals to turn the game around. The same goes for the (Sanfrecce) Hiroshima match and the Kawasaki (Frontale) match. Seeing that, I feel that my mentality, which was said to be weak until last season, is getting stronger. I don't think I can think of a title if I can't challenge myself with the feeling that I can win every match, but I think we're moving in that direction. I think that determination and struggle are well expressed. For example, the Levain Cup match against Kawasaki was also a goal in injury time. Without that goal, we might not have been able to advance to the next stage.”
(Did Maciej play a big part in making Rafa coach the Reds coach? Did he also want to have a different experience?)
"I think it's both. Me and Maciej have been working together since 2006. Along the way, I've worked with him all along, except for three years when I headed the Polish underclass. Also, the Reds is a big club in a wonderful country called Japan, so that was also attractive.I myself have been to Hiroshima twice with the U-19 Poland national team, and I have nothing but good memories. I also liked the style of Japanese football itself, and I had a desire to work with Coach Maciej, so when I heard from Japan and a club called Urawa Reds, I had no hesitation.”
(What does Maciej mean to Coach Rafa?)
“Maciej is a very ambitious manager who is always looking to improve. He is also trying to improve the teams and players he is involved with and he thinks about football 24 hours a day. How many hours do you sleep? I don't know, he's always thinking about soccer, and even after we get home, he talks about the next day's practice on the phone.That's his life, and he sacrifices a lot of I think he needs to think about all day long and I myself feel that football is addictive, he is ambitious and he wants to win so I am also a manager I want to do my best while supporting the players.I think we share the same vision for football.”
(Based on the fact that I also coached players for the under generation representative, is there anything common to growing players, such as personality, way of thinking, and upbringing?)
"I think it's inevitable in terms of personality. I was coaching the Under-19s, and European players of that age are going through difficult times in their lives. This is the age when you sign your first professional contract or fall in love for the first time.There are many temptations that can be said to be traps for players at that age, and some players give in. Skill is important, of course, but personality If you have a strong personality, I think you can improve your skills.
(Can the same be said for top team players?)
“Character is important even in top teams. For example, there are situations where you give in to pressure, or when you get paid for the first time. is approaching that age."
(I was looking forward to a coach press conference, which is rare in Japan.)
"Maybe a new tradition will be born in the Reds (laughs)"
(I don't know who made the practice menu, but I think they often did pass and control training or training on recovery days where everyone ran together and received a pass next to a dummy. I think there is an awareness of how to move, but what kind of movement are you asking the ball receiver to do?)
“Even during practice with the puppets, we do various forms of passing. The content of the practice is always decided the day before, but even with the same passing practice, depending on what the purpose is, I will be in charge. Or another coach will be in charge.It's up to the coach to decide.In any case, I think the timing of the movement you mentioned earlier is important.It doesn't matter if it's too early or too late.That Other than that, what I want is a strong pass.I want to deliver the ball fast.I also think it's important to get it on the right foot.Where's the space and which way do you turn it? We also place importance on these three points.”
(I think the Reds need more goals in their current situation, but Maciej said that he would build the team from the defensive line. Right now, the goalkeeper and defense are more prominent, and the offense will still take time. Unlike defense, offense is difficult because the opponent plays a large role, but I want the players to focus on what they think is necessary to play soccer by looking at the opponent and looking at the opponent. What do you think?)
"When we built this team, we started off defensively. It's the same as building a house from the ground up. As you said, I want to see more goals, and I'm training now. Timing is about matching the timing with the pass, and I think that was not enough in the previous game. I think there were times when it wasn't there.I think that coordination is important, and I think that the defense line, the midfield, and the front line must all be connected."
(For Shonan, the match starts after a crushing 6-0 loss, but I think this kind of situation can be rather difficult for the Reds, who want goals. What do you want to take care of in the match against Shonan?)
“We are practicing today and tomorrow, but that is to work out the details. Basically, we have been practicing our style for a long time, so we have been able to practice the base, and last week’s practice was limited to one game. Every time we practice our style, which is our base, plus two days before the game, we practice details that change depending on the opponent.In the previous section, Shonan lost 0-6. As you said, before that, we had a good fight in the Levain Cup, leading Kawasaki by 2. (Sagan) We conceded a goal early in the game against Tosu, but Shonan continued to create chances. I think the front line players are also dangerous.Machino (Shoto) has scored 8 goals,Suzuki (Akito) has scored 6 goals in official games.Ohashi (Yuki) is back. They are also hard working players in the press, so if you start to think that they lost 0-6 or are at the bottom of the standings, I think it will be a bad game.Kawasaki vs Yokohama (F・I think I have to challenge myself in the same way as I did against Marinos.I don't think there is an easy match in the J.League."
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
Until now, coach Maciej Skorza answered media questions at the regular pre-match press conference, but this time coach Rafa is in charge. In Poland, the team led by Maciej has done so, and as a new initiative for the Reds, the coaches will hold a press conference. Coach Rafa participated in the press conference this time, but other coaches are scheduled to hold interviews irregularly in the future.
(I think it's the first time you've attended a pre-match press conference with the Reds, how are you feeling now?)
"I don't have any special feelings. In Poland, I used to appear at press conferences like this. It's my first time in Japan, so I'm happy to see everyone's faces like this."
(How are you preparing for the Shonan Bellmare match?)
“We are preparing as usual, but there are not many days between games because of the back-to-back matches. Ideally, we would only have matches on weekends in a normal cycle, but in that situation we are accelerating things. There were some injuries in the match against Kawasaki Frontale the other day, but we are preparing in the best possible way.”
(I heard that coach Rafa is in charge of attack, how do you feel about the Reds' attack now?)
“I think we are gradually getting better. We want to play offensive and clean football, not a team that focuses on defense and aim for counterattacks. Defending and counterattacking is modern football. I can't say that, it's not the way we do it.I think positional football is beautiful and it's almost art.In football, a lot of managers try to create chances while playing good football, clean football. However, creating chances is the most difficult thing in football.At the start of the season, three key players in the offense were missing: Matsuo (Yusuke), Esaka (Ten), and Kasper (Junker). They were players who appeared in 30 or 40 games, and the front-line players for the Reds this season include (Koroki) Shinzo, (Jose) Kante, (Takahashi) Toshiki, and (Hayakawa) Junpei. Compared to last season, it's a new player.(Yasui) Kaito didn't play much last season.Bryan (Linssen) also played only 3 games last season.So the front lineup has changed completely. I think you can say that.
The players are new, the coaching staff is new, and the football they play is new for them. We also play connecting soccer, but not only that, we are also trying to attack the space behind the opponent. In such a place, evolution is seen in daily training. We also have individual training for the front line players after practice. It's getting better, but I think we're still far from where we want to be.
We won the (YBC) Levain Cup against Kawasaki 2-1 at home, and I think we had a good time. There was a good scene in the match against Kawasaki in the previous section. I would like to increase the number of such scenes as much as possible and show them throughout the 90 minutes, and I am practicing for that.”
(What do you want most from the players in the final third?)
“I am practicing my movements. By moving up front, I can create space for other players. Against Kawasaki, I think Toshiki was doing well in the first half, but I gave him the ball at just the right time. Also, we practice one-on-one in the final third.We aim to win against the opponent with such a mechanism.And we also practice shooting with the players, including myself.Striker They practice shooting with their right or left foot from anywhere in the penalty area, and they say words of encouragement to hit mid-range shots. There are some players who have very good shots from close range, but when it comes to the game, they try to get closer to the goal without taking shots from there, so I want them to show their good plays.”
(When creating tactics for a match, does Coach Rafa come up with it and present it to Coach Maciej?
“Our coaching staff members, including the coach in charge of analysis, are always talking to the coach about ideas. He also asks a lot of questions. However, I often talk about how to make the members who appear in it demonstrate their skills.It is about how to make them exert their strength.There are various opinions within the coaching staff, and there are times when it becomes a discussion. However, we both give explanations that the other party can understand, and the director makes the final decision after listening to them.”
(I was talking about ``positional football is beautiful'', but are there any attacking methods and tactics that you refer to in Europe? For example, Manchester City have a unique positioning, but do you refer to that? )
“I see coaches more often than teams. When I was in Poland, I used to visit the training camps of different teams every summer break. For example, Thomas Tuchel of Borussia Dortmund. I went to see Jürgen Klopp practice, I'm a fan of both coaches and I love Pep Guardiola's style, I think I've been to training camp like that 10 or 12 times. And the managers I mentioned earlier practice in different ways, each manager has won a lot of titles, so it's not like there's only one way to win titles. I think about it.I incorporate ideas into my team that I think are good to watch practice, but the players are different, so I can't copy them completely.But I can take the ideas home.These coaches' training By visiting the camp, I think I was able to grow as a coach, so I think it was very good.”
(Earlier, it was said that when it comes to a match, "I try to get closer to the goal without hitting middle shots", but it is said that such a determination is different between Japanese players and European players, and Japanese players It has long been said that people tend to pass the ball to the next person rather than making their own conclusions.Do you ever feel that way when you come to Japan?
"I don't think so. I think that just changing the style and habits a little will change that. I think we can go that way, and like I said, it will take some time, and I don't think it's a question of determination or motivation, the players are very high in that respect. I think the important thing is to decide which play to choose.
I would also like to add one more decision. One of the stories I heard when I came to the Reds in January was that if the Reds concede first, they can't win the game. And I thought that I had to change that in order to fight for the title. I think mental aspects are important. And this season, we were able to win five games in which we conceded goals earlier, so I feel that that part has changed. For example, in our home game against Cerezo Osaka at Urawa Komaba Stadium, we scored two goals to turn the game around. The same goes for the (Sanfrecce) Hiroshima match and the Kawasaki (Frontale) match. Seeing that, I feel that my mentality, which was said to be weak until last season, is getting stronger. I don't think I can think of a title if I can't challenge myself with the feeling that I can win every match, but I think we're moving in that direction. I think that determination and struggle are well expressed. For example, the Levain Cup match against Kawasaki was also a goal in injury time. Without that goal, we might not have been able to advance to the next stage.”
(Did Maciej play a big part in making Rafa coach the Reds coach? Did he also want to have a different experience?)
"I think it's both. Me and Maciej have been working together since 2006. Along the way, I've worked with him all along, except for three years when I headed the Polish underclass. Also, the Reds is a big club in a wonderful country called Japan, so that was also attractive.I myself have been to Hiroshima twice with the U-19 Poland national team, and I have nothing but good memories. I also liked the style of Japanese football itself, and I had a desire to work with Coach Maciej, so when I heard from Japan and a club called Urawa Reds, I had no hesitation.”
(What does Maciej mean to Coach Rafa?)
“Maciej is a very ambitious manager who is always looking to improve. He is also trying to improve the teams and players he is involved with and he thinks about football 24 hours a day. How many hours do you sleep? I don't know, he's always thinking about soccer, and even after we get home, he talks about the next day's practice on the phone.That's his life, and he sacrifices a lot of I think he needs to think about all day long and I myself feel that football is addictive, he is ambitious and he wants to win so I am also a manager I want to do my best while supporting the players.I think we share the same vision for football.”
(Based on the fact that I also coached players for the under generation representative, is there anything common to growing players, such as personality, way of thinking, and upbringing?)
"I think it's inevitable in terms of personality. I was coaching the Under-19s, and European players of that age are going through difficult times in their lives. This is the age when you sign your first professional contract or fall in love for the first time.There are many temptations that can be said to be traps for players at that age, and some players give in. Skill is important, of course, but personality If you have a strong personality, I think you can improve your skills.
(Can the same be said for top team players?)
“Character is important even in top teams. For example, there are situations where you give in to pressure, or when you get paid for the first time. is approaching that age."
(I was looking forward to a coach press conference, which is rare in Japan.)
"Maybe a new tradition will be born in the Reds (laughs)"
(I don't know who made the practice menu, but I think they often did pass and control training or training on recovery days where everyone ran together and received a pass next to a dummy. I think there is an awareness of how to move, but what kind of movement are you asking the ball receiver to do?)
“Even during practice with the puppets, we do various forms of passing. The content of the practice is always decided the day before, but even with the same passing practice, depending on what the purpose is, I will be in charge. Or another coach will be in charge.It's up to the coach to decide.In any case, I think the timing of the movement you mentioned earlier is important.It doesn't matter if it's too early or too late.That Other than that, what I want is a strong pass.I want to deliver the ball fast.I also think it's important to get it on the right foot.Where's the space and which way do you turn it? We also place importance on these three points.”
(I think the Reds need more goals in their current situation, but Maciej said that he would build the team from the defensive line. Right now, the goalkeeper and defense are more prominent, and the offense will still take time. Unlike defense, offense is difficult because the opponent plays a large role, but I want the players to focus on what they think is necessary to play soccer by looking at the opponent and looking at the opponent. What do you think?)
"When we built this team, we started off defensively. It's the same as building a house from the ground up. As you said, I want to see more goals, and I'm training now. Timing is about matching the timing with the pass, and I think that was not enough in the previous game. I think there were times when it wasn't there.I think that coordination is important, and I think that the defense line, the midfield, and the front line must all be connected."
(For Shonan, the match starts after a crushing 6-0 loss, but I think this kind of situation can be rather difficult for the Reds, who want goals. What do you want to take care of in the match against Shonan?)
“We are practicing today and tomorrow, but that is to work out the details. Basically, we have been practicing our style for a long time, so we have been able to practice the base, and last week’s practice was limited to one game. Every time we practice our style, which is our base, plus two days before the game, we practice details that change depending on the opponent.In the previous section, Shonan lost 0-6. As you said, before that, we had a good fight in the Levain Cup, leading Kawasaki by 2. (Sagan) We conceded a goal early in the game against Tosu, but Shonan continued to create chances. I think the front line players are also dangerous.Machino (Shoto) has scored 8 goals,Suzuki (Akito) has scored 6 goals in official games.Ohashi (Yuki) is back. They are also hard working players in the press, so if you start to think that they lost 0-6 or are at the bottom of the standings, I think it will be a bad game.Kawasaki vs Yokohama (F・I think I have to challenge myself in the same way as I did against Marinos.I don't think there is an easy match in the J.League."
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
