On March 14, Maciej Skorza coach held a press conference online and expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming Meiji Yasuda J1 League match against Kashima Antlers on Sunday, March 16, at the Kashima Prefectural Soccer Stadium.

(I think Kashima is one of the most powerful teams in the J-League, especially from the flanks, and Reds' side-backs and side-halves have to be finely marked. What are your thoughts on that attack and defense?)
Kashima has strong attacking players. Suzuki (Yuma) and Leo Ceara have scored 8 of the 11 goals scored by Kashima. They have scored more than 70% of Kashima's goals this season. Stopping them will be a big challenge, but they are not the only two powerful players in Kashima. Kashima has won four in a row, and I think they are an organized, motivated, determined, and cohesive team."

(Have you noticed any changes in the atmosphere of the players in training since the first win of the season against Fagiano Okayama the previous week?)
(Have you noticed any change in the atmosphere of the players in training since the first win of the season against Okayama? Of course the atmosphere has improved, but it is not perfect yet."

(Looking at Reds this season, I think they are dealing well with opponents' formations, but more importantly, with players who are targets of long balls, such as Yuya Osako from Vissel Kobe and Kazunari Kazumi from Okayama. On the other hand, I have the impression that you are struggling against teams like Kashiwa Reysol and Shonan Bellmare that connect grounders passes. I think we can make use of the good parts we have so far because Kashima often kicks long balls to Suzuki, but what are your prospects against Kashima?)
Kashima is a team that can launch a variety of attacks. Against Kashima, we will defend systematically and firmly. We must be prepared for long balls to Suzuki, and also for situations where they connect. As you said, I think we improved our handling of long balls in the previous game, and we will continue to improve it in the next Trial game. Okayama I think the key element of the game was the hard work of (Yasui) Kaito and Samuel (Gustafsson). I think they were able to control the game in the center of the pitch by collecting second balls.

(Kashima has been led by Tatsu Oniki since this season, and I think he praised the style of Kawasaki Frontale which Oniki led both in 2023 and last season. You haven't spent much time in Kashima, how do you feel about the changes and impressions of Kashima under Oniki's leadership?)
Comparing Kawasaki and Kashima under Oniki, I think their styles are a little different. Kawasaki is a team that plays attractive, attacking soccer. I think Kashima is more balanced. I think there is a difference, and Kawasaki was building their attack with fine passing, and Kashima plays differently. But I think that is also the difference in characteristics between the players in Kawasaki and those in Kashima.

I didn't play against Kashima last season, and I didn't watch Kashima that closely, so it's hard for me to comment on how things have changed since Oniki came."

( I ask this now because the adrenaline is pumping after Trial, but after the Kashima match, there will be time left until the next Trial in the international match week. How do you plan to use that period?)
'After Trial there is a lot of adrenaline going on. You know me well (laughs). I would like to include one training match during International Match Week. I would also like to check out different ideas. Especially the defensive line setup. We are looking for the best and most consistent shape there, but at the moment I think we are giving our opponents too many chances."

(I spoke to Danilo Boza players during the open training session, and they said that it was the whole team's good attitude that kept the Okayama game a clean sheet. I think the side's defense will be especially important against Kashima. Do you feel that we have improved other than our attitude in terms of defense?)
Early crosses are dangerous for the team, so it will be important to deal with them. And it is not only Suzuki and Leo Ceara that we have to control. For example, against Albirex Niigata, Koike (Ryuta) scored from a cross. We must be organized in defending inside the penalty area with low defense and zone 1."

(The match against Kashima at Kashima Soccer Stadium will be intense Trial with both teams' wills also clashing, but what are some of the important things to do Trial when intense intensity is expected and what kind of voice to call when sending off players?)
I want to motivate them in a good way. For the club and for the fans and supporters, the Kashima game is not one of many Trial but a special Trial. I think it is important for each player to recognize this and take on the challenge. We have talked about creating an atmosphere and I expect it to be intense Trial even before the whistle blows for kickoff, but I think we must be motivated and determined to take on the challenge even before the whistle blows. By doing so, we can start off with the same high intensity as the Okayama match. Okayama I hope we can increase the intensity even more than in the first round."

(Reds and Kashima Trial have had 6 Trial consecutive draws, so it's about time to see a win, but are there any factors other than soccer that will be needed for a win?)
'Good question. Kashima is a big rival for Reds and I think the difficulty is even greater because we are Trial at their home and with Kashima in good form. In this Trial, the tactical part and the fighting part on the pitch are of course important, but it's not just that, you have to play under pressure with high expectations, so I would say the non-football element would be the psychological part.

Trial I think there are various times in the game. There will be good times and bad times, but it is during the bad times that we must continue to fight as one. In order to take on such challenges, I think psychological preparation is also necessary. However, I believe that this kind of fighting will be our strength. We have players with strong personalities and good human qualities, so I think they will do that part.

And I have told the team that this special rivalry Trial is also a great opportunity. A win here would give us back-to-back wins, give us more confidence, and give our fans and supporters a lot of joy. I think it will give us momentum going forward."

(I think Trial between Reds and Kashima is a Japanese Clasico, but what Trial was Trial like the Clasico that Maciej coach has experienced in his soccer life?)
'I think these Trial are won or lost in the locker before the whistle. You have to be prepared in a balanced way. You have to be in fighting shape, but you can't overdo it. And we must be able to play calmly in difficult moments. We must avoid situations like the yellow card for Thiago (Santana) on Trial. A yellow card for fighting is one thing, but a yellow card for that kind of behavior must be avoided.

I have many memories of Trial like the Clasico. When I was coach of Lev Poznan, Legia (Warsaw) was an old rival and I also coached Legia. In this kind of Trial there is a lot of pressure and it is not often beautiful soccer. But here Trial we hope to play good content soccer and show our mental and other strengths."

(Maciej While the director often talks about the need to increase the speed of play, he also says that the team must not get carried away. Maciej Is the speed of play that the coach is looking for, for example, the number of touches or the speed of decision making? I would like to know your thoughts on what parts of the game should be rushed and what parts should not be rushed.)
It is important to move in a slow and steady manner without being fidgety. In some cases, you have to slow down play a little to draw the opponent in and take it to the opposite side. Especially when the opponent is pressing high, you must increase the speed of play. If you can attack quickly with long or short counters, you do so, but if you cannot do so, you must play with a slightly different tempo, moving the ball and moving the opponent to create a gap.

For example, I don't like to play the ball to the right and try to go straight from the right. Basically, I want to move the ball, draw the opponent out, and then push through. Of course, if I go straight from the right and score a goal, there is no problem (laughs). But usually it is difficult to do it only from the same side.

(Maciej What kind of high press is the director looking for? The term "high press" is associated with chasing down to the opponent's goalkeeper. It may be difficult to describe in words, but from where to where do you consider high press?)
There are many different strategies for high pressing. Depending on the opponent, sometimes the objective is to make them kick by pressing, and sometimes the objective is to drive them to the side and take them away. And it also depends on the quality of the opposing goalkeeper or defender. Sometimes we go for a high press Trial from the start, and sometimes we let them make one or two connections and then press when they come out of the penalty area Trial."

(On player substitutions. This season, there are some Trial that leave the substitution slot, but from the viewer's point of view, it gives the impression of leaving cards on the table, and as a coach, it may look better if you use up all five players. On the other hand, it is your job not to move, so how do you balance that?)
I would like to use as many players as possible. But the most important thing is to win. The players who come in off the bench will have different roles depending on Trial. Sometimes it is a role to score points, and sometimes it is to maintain the progress of the game, like the last time.

For example, in the previous game, the role I entrusted to Genki (Haraguchi) was to control the game in the center of the pitch. Trial Sometimes I play a more offensive role. We also consider where the opponent's strengths lie. For example, in the last Trial, Lucao was on the pitch, and he is a player whose strength lies in attacking crosses and set pieces. Thiago was already tired and you could say worn out, but we needed him on defensive set pieces. That is why I did not replace him. So my first priority is to try to win, and then to use as many players as possible.

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]