On the 3rd, Maciej Skorza Director's press conference was held online and he talked about his enthusiasm for the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE Regional League Round 9 match Kawasaki Frontale to be held at Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu on Sunday, the 5th.

(We heard what you wanted to work on during this two-week break, but how did you actually do it? I heard you had some training matches, how do you feel about the response to the improvements?)
I'd like to talk overall, but first of all, in the build-up we've been focusing on zone 3. As for defense, we have trained in all zones. We've done low defense, we've done the high middle zone, and we've done the high press in zone 3. Last week they worked very hard at a very high intensity, and they played well in the training match on Sunday. Of course, training matches and official games are different, but I hope we can show you the improvements we have made in the next match against Kawasaki."

(When I asked you the other day about young players you are looking out for, you mentioned Hayate Ueki player's name. What did you feel when you saw him in person? Did you feel that he was getting closer to becoming an official? Were there any other players, regardless of age, that you would like to give a chance to who have not had many opportunities to play?)
'It was a good opportunity for the players, who I would say are fresh in a way, to play. Sashi played from the start in this training match, and I can say that he will be a member of the team in the next Trial, against Kawasaki. There were other players who also showed very good form, but to name any more names would make things too predictable for our opponents."

(Kawasaki will be the first back four in a while, and I got the impression that Reds used the space on the sides well against the back four in the first 4 Trial of the J1 Centennial League.)
As you said, it is our base to use the side against back four teams. However, as we showed against Mito, we have been increasing the number of situations where we play through the center of the field. Against Kawasaki, I hope we can increase our use of half-space and half-space on the opposite side of the field.

(Ueki is a good player with good judgment and good use of long and short passes.)
Trial What do you expect from Ueki if he plays against Kawasaki? You mentioned earlier about his strengths, but I also expect him to contribute in zone 3. Given his ability and skill, he can get out the back in higher zone 2 or zone 3. I believe he can also shoot there with his left foot. He has yet to play an official game, so I can't evaluate him in a real match yet, but I also appreciate his tactical discipline.

(What is your impression of Kawasaki?)
Kawasaki is a very good team. They have a lot of skilled players and I think they have a good build-up team. Yokohama F･Marinos After the painful loss in the first round, we quickly regained our motivation and drew against Machida (lost in penalty shootout). We have told the players that they must prepare for a showdown with the best version of Kawasaki.

(What were the key points of the victory against Kawasaki?)
(What are the keys to victory against Kawasaki?) "I think it's how we can control their strong build-up and attacking side backs. We also have to watch out for dangerous wingers such as Marcinho and Tatsuya Ito in Zone 2 and Zone 1. If we press high, they may kick long balls to Ellison, so I think it is very important to be on the edge of the ball there, and we must also be careful of Ellison coming into the penalty area.

(There are big events in sports during this interruption period that Maciej the director may have been interested in. In soccer, there was the FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs. As a Pole, what is your opinion about the Poland-Sweden game?)
'It's a strange feeling because Poland played a very good game. There were easy mistakes in a difficult game and by conceding a goal in the closing minutes it was disastrous for us. It was a very bad moment for Polish soccer. I think many Poles feel bitter about not being able to participate in the World Cup in the United States. Moreover, it was a good opportunity to play against Japan. If we had won, we would have been in the same group. Soccer is cruel, and sometimes the better team does not win. From now on I will be praying for Japan to remain in the top three of the group after two great wins against Scotland and England."

(The Japanese team played an interesting 2 Trial. First, the Scotland game was won by replacing a large number of players and becoming a completely different team, playing aggressive soccer and scoring goals. In the England game, Kaoru Misumi scored a goal after winning the ball in the press-back, and from there, he created an opportunity to win the ball without using too many hands and with some open attacks. I thought this was the kind of style the Reds are aiming for, but what are your thoughts on that?)
'I watched the highlights of the England game. The stats show that England had the advantage. I think the play in which Misumi scored was very good. I am a fan of Mr. Moriyasu's soccer, so I am not surprised. He has a lot of experience in how to win such international Trial matches. For example, I saw the first half and the second half of the match against Brazil. I believe that if we play this kind of soccer, we can reach the trophy.

(Do you think soccer is a mixture of patience and determination?)
I think it is very important. For example, when I watch the Japanese national team, I think they are able to play without feeling stress even when the opponent has the ball. They can wait patiently and systematically, and once they get the ball, they can attack quickly.

(I would like to ask you about another sport, Formula 1 or F1. Did you see the Suzuka Grand Prix?)
Unfortunately, I was not able to watch the race there because it was the day of the training match. Three Japanese Grand Prix were held while I was in Japan, but I could not go to any of them. Next year, I would definitely like to see that Suzuka Grand Prix, even if I have to fly to see it."

(I think the Italians have mixed feelings because their national team failed to qualify for the World Cup in soccer, while their newborn is playing an active role in motor racing. As for why I mentioned F1, Maciej I understand that the director likes it, but I think there are some similarities with soccer, such as team management and the role of the director. Maciej How does the director see the similarities and differences between soccer, F1, and motorsports?)
I think it's about having a strategy and being organized under pressure. I don't think the new regulations will favor teams other than Mercedes with the best engines. I think Antonelli was also a bit lucky to be in such a team. As for management and strategy, you mentioned Italy earlier, and Ferrari is struggling in those areas. As a coach, I find it difficult to time the changes of players, but I think it is similar to the pit stops in F1.

(There were various Trial during this break, including the FIFA World Cup playoffs in Europe, and I would like to ask you about your impressions if you have seen them. Like Sweden and Poland's Trial, I have the impression that the teams that slowly hold the ball in zone 3 and try to find a way to break the deadlock are winning less and less often. I got the impression that more and more teams in European soccer are emphasizing playing intensity and speed in zone 3. Maciej How does the director feel about the current soccer trend, and based on that, what kind of play in zone 3 will be important for Reds?)
I think that the importance of switching is becoming more important every year as we watch international soccer. So, I think it is necessary to attack quickly and finish the play quickly at the point of switching. Reds is trying to change this aspect in various ways this year, and I think, for example, the goal expectation is getting higher. In the flow of things, we are second only to FC Tokyo. We are still struggling a little bit with some of the decisions we make once we get into zone 3.
I think the addition of (Onaiu) Ado is a very big deal for us. He can show his skills in zone 3 and can play without being rushed. And I think his goal tally has increased compared to the second half of last year. He is able to hold the ball in zone 2, but if he doesn't improve his play in zone 3, it won't lead to goals. In terms of scoring this season, we don't have a standout player like (Jose) Kante, so we have to score goals with a lot of players. That includes the side backs. However, Nobu-san (Nobuyasu Ikeda coach) and Sako-san (Masato Maesako coach) have been training us very well, so I am sure it will be fruitful."

(Speaking of the Kawasaki game, Shoya Nakajima many players scored goals, Maciej what does the coach think?)
'Shoya has been showing good performance against Kawasaki. I don't really want to name names before this Trial "

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)