2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 28 match Kawasaki Frontale [MATCH PARTNER Mitsubishi Heavy Industries] Post-match comments

"Today's performance was below our standards. I think that can be said in every aspect, including tactical discipline and mentality. There are many excuses we can make, but it was a very disappointing game not only in terms of the result but also in terms of our performance.

Even in normal matches, there are many matches where the flow is not so good in the first half, but we improve in the second half and get good results, but since this was a 45-minute match, I was a little worried about that. Of course, I wanted to start well, and even though we had prepared for that, we started off without being able to do what we wanted to do.

We were unable to control the game from the start, and just as we were trying to improve that, we conceded a goal in the 10th minute, and our only chances were shots from Ryoma Watanabe and Yusuke Matsuo.

It was a very disappointing game. For me, it feels like a loss. We have to take a lot of factors into consideration, but I would like to give the players who have often started on the bench a chance to play in the remaining two games.

[Question and Answer Session]
What did you talk about specifically in terms of tactical discipline?
"One is our high press. If you try to press only with the forwards and attacking midfielders, it's not a very effective press. I think there were few decisions to have the wingers press. However, both teams predicted the other team's press and started the game with a few more long balls. Our press wasn't very effective, but Kawasaki were also kicking the ball and trying to push into our half. However, I think Kawasaki was able to recover the second ball after long balls more often.

Offensively, we were a bit chaotic. We weren't able to build up, and I think we lost a lot of one-on-one challenges."

(Looking at Sanfrecce Hiroshima match and other games, I think the opponents had the ball for a long time in the first half, and the Reds had the ball when they got tired and spaces opened up. In order for you to dominate and push forward from the start, what do you think is lacking and what do you want to improve?)
"First of all, I think we need to concentrate on what we need to do. If we want to get off to a good start, we need to execute tactical aspects such as high pressing firmly, and our physical level needs to be high as well. In many games, it has taken us a while to play at the level we want, so I think that is an area we need to improve. If I had to give one reason, it would be our attitude and motivation. I think there is room for improvement there."

(What is important to keep the ball while the opponent is in good form?)
"There are various aspects to this. For example, the players' sense of distance. If you don't have a good sense of distance after kicking a long ball, you won't be able to recover the second ball. And in order to keep the ball, you need to move and rotate. Today, there weren't many instances of side rotation or players switching positions between each other, so I think we were too passive.

It was very disappointing because it looked like we were making progress in the last three games. We just couldn't make progress today."

(Time passed without us feeling the Reds' quality, but they may have been mentally shaken by the goals they conceded. How do you see their mental state during the match?)
"I can't say that our mentality was at a good enough level today. We didn't start well, conceded a goal in the 10th minute, and things just kept going in a bad direction. At times like that, you need a strong character to try and change the situation, and I think some of our players were trying to do that. But it's not just a few players, it's something that should be done by the whole team. It should be done as a team, not as individuals."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]