On the 30th, after the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 35 match Yokohama F･Marinos, Yusuke Matsuo shared his thoughts on the match and his enthusiasm for the next game.

"I think the feeling wasn't bad. In the second half, the opponent's risk management in counter-attack situations became a little looser as time went on, which allowed us to create a few chances, but other than that, I think we were able to play the game as we intended."

(There were a lot of long balls in the first half.)
"F.Marinos were fast, so we talked about trying to keep up with them, especially in the early part of the first half. I think the first half played in that style, and after about 15 minutes, we held the opponent back and some space opened up in the midfield, so we used that to our advantage and created some good chances.

Also, we had to be careful of counterattacks while attacking, and we also had to defend well against the opponent's three forwards, so I think we were able to play as we intended as a team."

(Today, you seemed to have a clear intention to target the space.)
"Until now, there have been many scenes where I would run but the ball wouldn't come to me, but recently I've had the feeling that the ball is coming to me, so it's become easier for me to run. By running and stretching out the opponent, space opens up, and I was able to use that effectively today, so I think that balance has been improving recently.

Especially in the first half, every team tightens up the middle, and F. Marinos was also tight in the first 15 minutes today, but by running to the back, the opponent is stretched out and space is created, and Samuel (Gustavsson) can face forward and receive the ball, and the space gradually opens up for the side half or number 10 to receive the ball, so I think it's important to work on opening up there, and that will create a situation where the opponent retreats close to the penalty area. Until now, we haven't been very conscious of this as a team, but I think it's important for everyone to be conscious of this work.

(I saw you change positions in the second row today.)
"After we attacked, our shape got a little off, so we filled in the spaces when we were defending, and then when we went on the attack, our positions changed. Each player did their best to do what they needed to do at the time, and we created a few good chances, so I think the rotation went smoothly and without any issues."

(I think you created some good offensive formations.)
"There was an offside call, but we managed to score two goals. There's nothing we can do about being offside, but I think it's because we aim for the very limit that we can create those kinds of opportunities, so I want to continue doing that. The moment I was called offside was also a very close call, so I should have waited a little longer."

(Today, there were some combination plays that came from vertical passes from the midfield, right?)
"Until now, we hadn't really had a chance to break down the defense so cleanly, so it's good that we're slowly starting to get into shape as a team. It would have been great if we could have scored a goal there."

(You've been doing a lot more work on the wings, haven't you?)
"I played nearly 80 minutes today, but I want to stay on the pitch for another 10 minutes. That's in terms of muscle, and my performance has also declined, so I want to continue working hard in that area."

(Compared to previous games, there were more opportunities to score in the first half, but what do you need to do to keep scoring from there?)
"It's a sport where you play against an opponent, so it's quite difficult, but we need to increase the number of chances we have, and the same goes for accuracy. We just have to keep going. Goals are fleeting, after all. Also, I think it's very good that we didn't concede any goals. Up until now, we've conceded goals in these kinds of matches and lost, so even though we were away, getting one point isn't a bad result."

(Even though you didn't win, how about the fact that you were in good form?)
"The manager has changed, and any change in the team tends to make us sink, so from here on out, we want to secure our place in the league and work hard to rise again next year."

(What about for the next match?)
"First of all, I want each player to make a full recovery, and then I want them to approach the next game fresh and with good energy."

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