On the 20th, after the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 30 match Kashima Antlers [MATCH PARTNER Mitsubishi Foods 100th Anniversary], Samuel Gustafson reflected on the day's Trial and spoke about his enthusiasm for the future.

"It's disappointing. It was a very important Trial against a rival, with high Trial due to Pos and the end of the league. Neither team wanted to make any mistakes, so they defended tightly at the back, and when they wanted to create chances they looked to induce mistakes from the other team. It was a game that was unpredictable. But in the end it all comes down to the result. I'm very disappointed that we lost."

(In the first half, after the Reds attacked, Gustavsson always seemed to be in a position to get the second ball, so was it difficult to play from there?)
"That's how the game went. We didn't take any risks, we played long balls and played duels, so I don't think my performance was bad. We picked up the second ball and launched attacks.

Since coming to Japan, I think my character has been well understood. If I had more touches on the ball, I could have created more chances, but both teams were known for their high pressure, which induces mistakes from the opponent, so I think the key was how to break away when I had the ball and how to avoid the opponent's high pressure."

What do you think needs to be done to avoid situations like conceding goals?
"Of course, we have many ideas. We can play with long balls, and with a solid plan like that, we can force the opposition to move in and then kick the ball forward. There are many ways to play. However, our high pressure also created a good flow in some areas, so it was an even Trial. I think it was Trial where either team could have won."

(In the match Kawasaki Frontale, a goal was conceded when the ball was passed to the goalkeeper. I think the opponents are studying how the Reds connect passes in the back, but isn't it necessary to do something different from what is planned?)
"Of course, in order to move in the same direction, we need to have an idea of the big picture. And today, we conceded a goal against Kawasaki Frontale, even though we had a solution in place. Today, the wing was open again, and sometimes it's a technical mistake rather than a mistake in judgment. I think things like this can happen in important Trial like this, high-tension, high-impact Trial, but I think that was the story of today's Trial."

(What are your aspirations for the future?)
"The next Trial is coming up soon, so I think it's important to focus on recovery first. After Trial like today, you feel tired, but you just have to pick yourself up and prepare for the next one."

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[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]