On the 14th (Japan time), just before the start of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Matheus Savio held an online interview and answered questions from the media.

(Savio, how is your condition? I think there was a time difference since you arrived in the U.S., so how is your adjustment going?)
"I arrived at the venue early and had time to get used to the sport, so I'm in good condition. I think we're having some intense and good practice."

(I've heard that South American players value competitions between Europe and the world to become the best, but what did this competition to become the best in the world at your club mean to you?)
"The format has changed, and it's becoming harder for any team to win, but I think it's an honor for us to be able to compete in this kind of tournament with such great teams and players. We want to work hard so that we can play well with confidence and achieve good results."

(What was your impression of the first match against CA River Plate?)
"River Plate is a team with great quality, and they are doing well in the Copa Libertadores. I've watched a few of Trial, and they are currently in first place in their group, so I think they have a team full of high-quality players. However, as I said before, we need to work hard with confidence and achieve good results, so we need to do our best to get the three points, and we need to do our best to achieve our goal."

(As a Brazilian player, how do you feel about playing against an Argentine team?)
"Because of the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina, I think it will be a special Trial and moment. The Argentine national team won the FIFA World Cup and are world champions. They are a country that produces new talent every year, and I think they are a high-level team. The J.League and Argentina have completely different styles, so I think we will be playing against an opponent with a new style, but I want to keep that in mind as we fight. I want to work hard to use the space well and play a good Trial with confidence."

(Looking at the grass at the practice field, it seemed quite deep, but how does it feel?)
"The grass seems deep. It feels different to the grass used in J-League games. However, we come early and practice to get used to the grass. We can't use the fact that it's deep as an excuse, so we'll work hard and do our best to play a good Trial. We don't know what the stadium is like, and we'll only be able to tell if it's deep when Trial starts, but we want to play a good Trial no matter what the conditions are."

(I think it's difficult to get ball speed when the grass is deep. Is there anything you pay attention to?)
"When the grass is deep, play slows down and there is more physical contact. We don't know yet what the condition of the grass at the stadium will be like, so all we can do is prepare well and do our best to play Trial. We want to be able to play according to the conditions of Trial."

(The combination at the front seems to be improving, but how has it been since you arrived in the United States?)
"Our team has a lot of quality players, and everyone, whether they're starters or on the bench, knows their role and strengths, so I think we can all play well together. We also understand the kind of football that coach (Maciej Skorza) is aiming for, so I think we can all work together and play well no matter who plays."

(What do you think is the key to winning against River Plate?)
"Mental health will be important. They are an experienced opponent, but we need to show our style. I also think we need to be smart. There will be ups and downs during Trial, and there will be good times and bad times, so I think it's important to use your smarts and persevere when you're in a bad flow. It's also important to take advantage of opportunities. I think that's the key. We want to work hard and play well. It will be a difficult Trial, but if we play with confidence, I think we can get a good result."

(You said you've seen a Trial Copa Libertadores Trial. What is your impression of Franco Mastantuono, the 17-year-old player who is garnering worldwide attention?)
"I've watched several Copa Libertadores Trial, not just those of them, and I think he is a fantastic player with a lot of quality. That's why I think there's been talk of him moving to Real Madrid. However, I think it's important that we play as a team, rather than doing something special just because he's there. Not only him, the other players are fantastic as well. For example, we have players like Ignacio Fernandez and Miguel Borja, so I think it's important that we don't just play thinking about him, but that we work hard and with high intensity as a team. I think it would be good if we can do that throughout the entire Trial, both in terms of offense and defense, and I think it's important that we play as a team."

(You mentioned that the style of the J.League is different from that of Argentina, but there are many South American players in the J.League, so I think you are used to playing against individual players, but what should you be careful of when playing against South American teams, and is there any advice you can give to your teammates, Savio?)
"The differences come from a variety of factors. For example, in the J.League, the condition of the grass in all stadiums is almost perfect. This allows the speed of play to increase and football to be played at a high intensity. In South America, they sometimes play on artificial turf instead of natural grass, and sometimes on grass in poor condition. This slows down the speed of play, and I think that slower play means more physical contact. However, thanks to this, the quality of the players' techniques increases. However, this is the Club World Cup, and I think the level will be extremely high throughout the tournament. I think Trial will be decided by the small details. We need to concentrate on those small details and be careful. As I said earlier, I think River Plate is a quality team, but as Urawa Reds, I hope to show the high level of Japan's football."

(I've heard that River Plate will have around 50,000 fans and supporters. Will that be a threat in terms of the stadium atmosphere?)
"River Plate is a big club. I think they have great fans and supporters, but we also have great fans and supporters. I want to play well for the people who are coming to the stadium and for those who are cheering us on through the screen. I want to bring joy to all our fans and supporters. I want to fight for our fans and supporters, play well, work hard, and do my best to achieve good results."

(Did your family or acquaintances in Brazil contact you because of your participation in the FIFA Club World Cup?)
"I think it's a very big tournament. I think it's the dream of South American clubs, and Brazilian clubs, to become Club World Cup champions. This tournament is in a new format, there are many Trial, and I think it will be a tournament of a very high standard. I think my family, my wife, my friends, everyone is looking forward to it. For me, it's an opportunity to show the world my worth, and the worth of the club. I also think we can show how amazing Urawa Reds fans and supporters are. I think it's a great opportunity to show the quality of Japanese football, so I hope to use this opportunity to show not only myself personally, but also the worth of Urawa Reds, this big club."

I think the FIFA Club World Cup will be a life-changing tournament for Savio. In one word, what kind of tournament will it be?
"First and foremost, I think this is a tournament where we must play responsibly. I believe the whole world is watching. However, we should not only think about ourselves. I don't think it's good to only think about changing your own life through this tournament. We have to think about the team, the club first. If we show quality as a team, I think that will lead to individual differences, and if the club and team achieve their goals, I believe we can achieve our personal goals. For example, if we only think about ourselves, we won't be able to pass the ball and we'll only think about scoring goals. That's not good, so I think we have to think about the team as a whole. We have to watch the timing of the moment we pass, and it's important to help the team. Scoring goals is also important. I think the most important thing is to fight as one team overall."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]