On the 4th, a press conference was held online with manager Per-Mathias Hoegmo, where he spoke about his enthusiasm for the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 22 match against Shonan Bellmare which will be held at Urawa Komaba Stadium on Saturday, July 6th.

"Hello everyone. After our last match, I gave feedback to the players in training and meetings. I think we dominated the game with a ball possession rate of 70 percent. Also, I think our aggressiveness after losing the ball and our attitude of going for the ball are improving. We also had a good balance of risk management while pressing forward, so I think we reduced the opponent's options. We will continue to work on these areas in training. I also thought our chance-making and goal-scoring were very good. This is an area where we can still improve, but I think we are also becoming more aware of the spaces and using them. Tactically, I also think it is important to judge when to use the space behind directly and when to move the ball from side to side to connect. As I said to the players after today's training, I think we have improved tactically, both as individuals and as a team.

Today's training took place at Urawa Komaba Stadium. I think the pitch is in very good condition. I'm looking forward to playing at this stadium. I think it's a stadium full of history for the club and for the fans and supporters, so I'm looking forward to it.

One more thing, I'm very happy and proud that (Ohata) Ayumu was selected for the Olympic team. I think he is one of the most representative players who are showing growth every week. Also, as we have officially announced, (Ito) Atsuki is the new captain and (Nishikawa) Shusaku is the vice captain. As I said after the game, I think he introduced himself well as the new captain with one goal and two assists.

(What is the difference between your first impression of Ohata and the current impression? I felt that he was strong one-on-one in the matches against Nagoya Grampus and Jubilo Iwata, but what do you think of him as coach Mathias?)
"After the Nagoya match, there were several occasions when he retreated despite being pressed upon, so I spoke to him about it and I thought that the match against Iwata went very well. That means he is learning. That is very important. He is a very curious player, and I think he is someone who pays attention to a lot of things on and off the pitch. His tactical judgement and selection have also improved, so he is getting better in the build-up and I think he is also very good in the final third. He is getting better, so from now on he will be working on the details such as shooting and crossing. In our style of football, the full-backs are also important in attack. And Ayumu is becoming very good at one-on-one situations. He is very good at one-on-one situations in defense and he is also getting better at reading the game, so when the opponents try to use the space behind us, he is able to make movements that use his speed to cover the centre-backs.

While Ohata is happy to be selected for the Olympic team, is the lack of key fullback players also a headache? I think this will be discussed after the Shonan match, but what are your thoughts on the current situation, including training?
"Ayumu will still be there for the next match and the match against Kyoto (Sanga FC). We will discuss and decide what to do after the match against (Hokkaido Consadole) Sapporo. We have some plans, and I would like to talk about them later."

(At regular press conferences, you usually explain the status of the injured at the beginning, but that didn't happen this time? If it's difficult for you to talk about, that can't be helped, but is there anything you can say?)
"I forgot to mention this at the beginning, but first of all, Samuel (Gustafsson) has been feeling a little unwell and was unable to make the squad for the last game, but I hope he can make the squad for the next game. (Maeda) Naoki was also a bit of a question mark, but he has been improving over the past few days and has returned to training. I hope he can make the squad as well. Taka (Takahiro Sekine), who had a rebound after the Nagoya match, as well as Matsuo (Yusuke) and (Koizumi) Kaho. I hope these three will be ready in time for the next away game against Kyoto."

(As Coach Mathias said, in the match against Iwata, the pressing to take the ball back from the opponent was excellent, but how much do you think this has to do with the starting style based on double defensive midfielders? Would the same thing be possible with a 4-3-3 if the team becomes more mature? Or is it the change in the starting style that is bringing about the current good flow?)
"First of all, I think it's fair to say that we are getting better every week as a team. In the previous match, we didn't allow the opponent to create many chances. I think one key point is to aggressively go after the ball from the opponent. If the front is solid, it's easier for the midfield and the defensive line to read the situation. For example, if the ball holder is being pressed, it's easier to push the line up. I think that by using double defensive midfielders, it's easier for the center backs to read the space in front of them. If there are two center backs and two defensive midfielders in the middle, I think it's easier for the fullbacks to shift vertically and go to press. Of course, if one of the inside halves goes to press and the opposite inside half and anchor are in front of the center back from a 4-3-3 defense, it will be the same shape, but I think that the defense with a 4-4-2 starting position is working well as an option. I also think that the intelligence of Bryan Linssen and (Watanabe) Ryoma is useful for pressing at the front line."

(You probably felt it during training today, but many of the foreign players who come to Japan say that the Japanese summer is hotter than they imagined. It may get one or two levels hotter than what Matthias is thinking right now. According to the weather forecast for the Shonan match, it will be about 30 degrees during the match, but in order to continue playing football that involves aggressively regaining the ball, what do you think is necessary to do efficiently? Physical strength is probably the most important thing, but what are the key points to deal with this effectively?)
"I have heard about the Japanese summer and it is interesting and something I am looking forward to. At the World Cup in the United States, the games were played in an environment of 40 degrees and 93 percent humidity. In modern soccer, if players can prepare an environment where they can take care of themselves, get nutrition, hydrate, rest, and not expose themselves too much to the heat, then the preparation stage can make a 30 percent difference. I think this can be a part of the culture, and I hope we can put it into practice. As for the game itself, I think that by having possession of the ball, we can conserve our energy.

Another thing I can say is that I think sprinting 5, 6, and 7 meters while moving forward requires less physical strength than sprinting 40 or 50 meters backwards. I have already shown this video to the athletes. We discussed whether to sprint 10 meters forward or to run 60 meters backwards instead.

(Why did you choose Ito as captain and Nishikawa as vice-captain?)
"Considering his own experience, I think it was natural for Shusaku to become captain. Atsuki, Shusaku, Sports Director Horinouchi (Sei) and I talked about the captaincy. During the discussion, Shusaku said to Atsuki, 'Atsuki, who will shoulder the future of Urawa, should be captain. He is already demonstrating leadership.' Atsuki also said, 'I am ready to become a leader.' The discussion really brought out the personalities and character traits of both Atsuki and Shusaku. I think they are wonderful both as players and as people."

(How would you like Captain Ito to lead the team?)
"First of all, he has the personality to lead those around him on the pitch. He has high tactical ability, a broad perspective, and is a player with the knowledge to discuss soccer. He is also an ambitious player. When I talked to Atsuki about whether he could score more goals just this season, he has significantly increased his goals and assists, and I think he has become a top player. I can feel the respect for him from the other players and staff."

(Despite missing some key players, you put up a good fight in the previous match against Iwata. I think you will continue that in the match against Shonan, but what do you think is the key to victory?)
"Compared to our last match against Shonan, they are a team that applies man-to-man pressure. However, they can also use long balls. When they are marking us man-to-man, spaces open up that we can use, so I hope we can exploit those spaces effectively. I think it would be good to be able to do two things: to connect the ball and create play, and to attack directly from behind. I think our pressure will be very important in the match against Shonan, so I hope we can do that while maintaining a good sense of distance and communicating well."

(Earlier you mentioned the discussions when deciding on the captain and vice-captain. If, for example, Nishikawa had wanted to be captain, or Ito thought it was too early for him, would the captain and vice-captain roles have been swapped?)
"I don't really want to waste my energy on what ifs (laughs). I'm very happy with the outcome of that discussion. I think either of us could have been captain. But the comments of these two people led to this outcome, and I think the flow was very good. I learn something every time I talk to the players. That was the case this time as well."

(The last game against Shonan ended in a 4-4 draw. Are you looking for a shootout this time around? Or are you hoping for a tighter game?)
"In our last away game, I think we played solid defense for the first 20 minutes. After that, we stopped pressing, which I'm not satisfied with. We were also losing in one-on-one situations when we conceded the first goal. But now the team has become more stable in those areas, and I think they're able to do it for the entire 90 minutes. We're also making higher demands in one-on-one situations in defence."

(Ohata was selected for the Olympic team despite having started only five games in the J1 League this season, but what was lacking that led to him having so few opportunities to start? What did you think of his efforts in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024, where he produced results despite not having much experience playing 90-minute games?)
"There are times when he is not playing here because he has been called up to the national team. Also, at the start of the season, he had symptoms in his hamstring. So we adjusted the load during training and matches. He is now in a condition to play 90 minutes. He is able to train in a stable condition, and his recovery after matches is also improving. This is true not only for him but for other players as well, but especially for players with explosive power, doing proper strength training can help prevent injuries, so I would like him to continue this type of training."

(There were many changes in the members between the opening match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima and the previous match against Iwata. It's natural that there are players who have been injured or transferred, but recently, players who were on the reserves, such as Hidetoshi Takeda Yota Sato Sato, Ohata, and Linssen, have been producing results, which is quite difficult. What do you think is the reason for this at the moment?)
"I think there are many answers to that question. It's been a while since the start of the season. It's been six months since we started training together. The players are developing. Everyone is making progress. And I think the players who have had the opportunity to play are taking advantage of it. That gives them confidence. We've had too many injuries this year, but on the other hand, that's creating opportunities for other players.

Brian has also suffered from injuries for a long time since coming to Japan. I am very happy for both myself and the club that he is able to perform like this. I have already talked about Ayumu, so I will not repeat it, but Hide (Takeda) always has a great desire to improve, works hard in training, and has the mental strength to maintain that, so I think he is able to make the most of his skills. As for Yota Sato, I think he is a player with great potential, and I think he is already starting to show his high level. He had some ups and downs at the beginning of the season. He is now stable, and I think he is in a position to show himself more tactically and technically.

I believe that each player has a special ability. Hide has a left foot, Ayumu has speed and is good in one-on-one situations, and Yodai is very strong in close-quarters situations, including aerial battles, and is also a player with high scoring ability in set pieces. There were many close calls in the game. So, there are complex factors involved, but I believe that if we create a good training culture, high-level players will emerge from that. And they are players who have adapted to our training culture, which involves high-intensity training. They are players who invest in themselves, including in their training."

(I think the mentality is important. I think they have been working hard, using the frustration of not being able to play in matches as energy. For example, Takeda said that he was helped by the coaching staff. Sato fights with the determination to crush the opponent during training matches, but when he leaves the pitch he behaves like an adult and says that it doesn't matter. I think that this is what has had a positive impact on them.)
"This season, new players and new staff have joined the group, but I think the sense of unity is growing steadily. We are now able to act as one group. We also always talk about our training culture, which includes individual practice. After full practice is over, coaches Ikeda (Nobuyasu), Maesako (Masato), and Mario (Eduardo Chavez) stay behind with the players to work out various details. The players are so enthusiastic that I tell them not to overdo it, and the players' enthusiasm also motivates the coaches."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]