On the 29th, manager Maciej Skorza held an online press conference, where he spoke about his enthusiasm for the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 28 match against Albirex Niigata [MATCH PARTNER Kokudai Seminar], which will be held at Saitama Stadium on Sunday the 31st.

(Unfortunately, the team has lost the last two official Trial in a row, and it is true that they are in a tough situation, but how they bounce back from this is also important for the team. How do you yourself, Coach Maciej, recover from the painful shock of the defeat? What kind of rebound mentality do you want to have as you fight?)
"We are in a difficult situation. We were defeated in the Emperor's Cup, which was our goal this year. We also lost the important match against Kashiwa (Reysol). First of all, I think it is important not to panic and maintain a positive mentality. We need to look closely at why we didn't win the last two Trial and what kind of goals we conceded, and make corrections. I think we need to get back to the solid foundation we showed at the start of this season. We have suffered two recent losses, but we still have the (YBC) Levain Cup and league matches to play. What's important is that we show a solid mentality and react to defeats. I believe this team's dressing room has the ability to move in a positive direction."

(There are a maximum of 16 Trial this season, and in the midst of all this, the signing of new striker Isaac Keese Thelin has been announced. What is Coach Maciej 's impression of him?)
"Isaac played his last official match in mid-July and has since been working independently with a personal coach. He remains in contact with the Reds' fitness coach. We are very pleased that he has decided to join us. He will add even more competition within the team for the number nine and striker positions. He is a hard worker, intelligent and skilled. He is the type of player who can demonstrate his skills in small spaces and combine well with those around him. He is tactically disciplined and I have heard good things about his personality. We met online once and I felt that he is a player with a very strong personality and a serious attitude. This is the type of player we need in the team."

(There are a maximum of 16 Trial remaining, but how soon will Isaac be able to Trial?)
"I would like him to play in 15 Trial. I'm not too worried about his physical condition. I hope he can adapt quickly. It's still early in the season for him, so I'm not too worried. However, I hope we can support him so that he can quickly get used to the J.League. I'm sure you all remember the case of Jose Kante. I'm sure you remember that Jose Kante in the first month and Jose Kante at the end of the season were completely different players. I hope that the staff, players, and everyone can create a good environment for him."

(The match against Niigata comes amidst a continuing difficult situation. Niigata seems to have the advantage in terms of condition, but what are your thoughts on this? Also, what is your impression of Niigata?)
"First of all, with regards to Albirex Niigata, I think it's fair to say that they are a different team from when we played them in May. They have a new manager and many new players. Half of the starting lineup are newcomers. The way they play has also changed from before. They are now playing more in a way that makes use of the strength of Swedish player Vuda. They are coming at the opponents more physically, and are using more long balls and are also using them to recover the second ball. Looking at their position in Standings, I think they are playing with determination, putting their lives on the line in every Trial. However, I think it's important not to think too much about the opponent, but to respond to the situation they are in. I hope that we can maintain our intense high pressure and good build-up play until the final whistle, and I believe we can do so, so that it doesn't just end in the first Trial.

(What do you think is the reason for your slowdown in the second half? Is it not just a physical issue?)
"I don't think there is just one reason. I think there are many factors. I don't think it's just physical, but I think physical is one reason. I can't talk about everything openly, but I think the reaction after conceding a goal is also important. In today's meeting, we also gave feedback on the previous Trial. Looking at the goals we have conceded in the last two Trial, I think we were a little lacking in the solid defense in zone 1 that we are capable of, so I spoke about that to the players. There is a rule that you have to play when defending, even if you are tired."

(What are the rules you mentioned earlier that you can no longer follow when you are tired?)
"For example, dealing with crosses in zone 1 and dealing with changes to the opponent's side. However, when I analysed recent training sessions, I saw that I had not spent much time on these areas. I thought I was doing it well and that there was no need to go out of my way to work on them. With a busy schedule and this heat, we are trying to keep training as compact as possible, but this was a lesson for me as well. No matter how basic something is, I realized that we need to make a checklist of things that need to be done. I cannot go into detail about the rules, but if you compare the second goal we conceded in the match against Kashiwa and the second goal we conceded in the match against FC Tokyo, I think you will see similarities."

After the loss to Kashiwa, the players were saying that it was tough when the opponent had the ball for so long. Does Coach Maciej think that it is more important to regain the defence in zone 1 than that you should increase the amount of time you have the ball?
"It's not that we only need to fix our low defense. However, before the Kashiwa match, we were playing very good low defense, especially at home, and we made it very difficult for the Reds to score at Saitama Stadium. I think the Kashiwa match was a bad game. We didn't show what we had prepared for Trial. However, the match against FC Tokyo was a completely different situation. I think the first half of the match against FC Tokyo was one of our best performances this season. I think we were able to control the first half well. However, in the second half, things started to go wrong in an unexpected way. So I'm asking the players to go back to basics and maintain that for the entire 90 minutes. Of course, I also think we need to further develop our build-up there. This morning we were talking about what we need to do to increase our chances, especially in zone 3."

What I find unfortunate about the way Urawa Reds are playing this season is that they are sometimes conceding cheap goals. If they could reduce those conceded goals, I think they would be higher in Pos, and in the position that Coach Maciej wants them to be in, where they would be able to take on more challenges. Right now, they are not in Pos they want, so it seems like they can't take any bold measures. What are your thoughts on this?
"I'm always thinking about new strategies. I'm fortunate to have a team of smart, well-rounded coaches on my coaching staff. However, I don't want to be too open about whether we'll be changing our tactics or strategy. I think Isaac's arrival will also broaden the scope of our play as a team."

(We've just talked about Isaac, but since the FIFA Club World Cup, I think that the time that Hiiro Komori is playing has brought about a remarkable change for Urawa Reds. Conversely, I think it's true that the times when he's not playing have been extremely difficult. I think fans and supporters are also thinking that if Komori had been there against FC Tokyo, perhaps the next goal could have been scored.)
"I am asking myself if it was the right time to substitute Hiaya. I also wonder if the timing was too early. However, as it was his return match after injury, I was also worried that the injury might recur. I do think that when Hiaya comes on, the level of our attack, including our build-up, rises. He moves very well, and his interaction with the midfielders is so good that it's amazing how much he has been able to achieve in such a short period of time."

(I think the defense has improved a lot since Komori came on. When you think about it, the team's strength drops when the same substitutions are made over and over again. Is it because the players who come on later are not strong enough to change this situation, or is the coach's coaching not effective, or is there some other factor at play?)
"Generally speaking, it's not an easy situation to come on at the 60th, 70th, or 80th minute. However, players have roles to play, such as scoring goals or maintaining the progress of the game, and that's what we send players onto the pitch with. It's not that the level of the team drops, but rather that we struggle with the introduction of players with different characteristics. For example, Hiyana does a very good job of applying high pressure. For example, when he replaces Thiago (Santana), he's a different style of striker, so the way we apply pressure also changes. Depending on the position, the styles of the starters and substitutes are different, which I think creates some difficulties. However, the substitutes also work hard, and I think there are many instances where they do a good job. I believe in their skills and always send them on. I would like to create an environment where more players can play for longer periods of time."

(In the long history of Urawa Reds, there have been just two instances where a foreign center-forward played as a center-back. Uwe Lahn under manager Mori Takayoshi, and Toninho under manager Holger Osieck. If Maciej values Thiago's defensive ability because of his height, wouldn't it be interesting to see him as a secret tactic? If he uses him in this way, wouldn't fans and supporters also be convinced that even if they can't add players to their weak defensive positions during the transfer window, this is how Maciej thinks, and that's why he continues to use Thiago?)
"He is a player who has scored goals and produced numbers every season in the J1 League, so I am grateful for that. This season he has had medical issues and I think that it is a situation where he has not been able to maintain his level. I often talk with Thiago, and what I strongly want from him is to regain the performance he had in the opening game of the season. I was surprised by the idea you mentioned. As a manager, I don't think I would be able to have the courage to do that."

(Frankly, as we approach the final stages of the season and aim to win the YBC Levain Cup and the league, are you satisfied with the current lineup of players? What do you think we need to do with the current members?)
"I don't think there is any manager in the world who is completely satisfied with the number and quality of their players. However, I am grateful for the team we have built this season and for the members we have. I believe these members have potential, and they are all working hard in training every day. What I need to do from now on as manager is to ensure that the players are able to perform as well as they did in the first half of the match against FC Tokyo for the entire 90 minutes. I think that Isaac's arrival will change the balance within the team a little, so I think I will be able to make even higher demands on the other attacking players."

(The three JFA/J.League special designated players were also in the starting line-up when the All-Japan University Select Team defeated Serie A's Fiorentina. Does Coach Maciej think that these three will be valuable players this Trial? Does he have any ideas for securing a depth of players even with second-tier registrations from the youth team?)
"The specially designated players include (Hidan) Renji and (Ueki) Hayate, who can play as attacking midfielders, wingers, strikers, etc., and I cannot say for sure that they will not play this season. I think they may be included in the squad if necessary.

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]