On the 16th, manager Maciej Skorza held an online press conference, where he spoke about his aspirations for the upcoming match against Kashima Antlers Antlers in the 11th round MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE to be held at Mercari Stadium on (Sat) the 18th.

(Although the results in the J1 100-Year League haven't been great, preparations for the 2026/27 season must also be underway. What are manager Maciej 's plans for making the remaining Trial in the J1 100-Year League more fruitful?)
"Before this season began, I spoke to everyone about what new challenges we would be taking on. This also served as preparation for the next season. For example, we aimed to play more attacking football and create more chances by being more aggressive and winning the ball higher up the pitch. We also spent this half-season preparing younger players like Nemoto (Kenta), (Hidano) Renji, and (Ueki) Hayate for the next season."

(At the same time, results are also expected, so how satisfied is director Maciej with the results so far?)
"I'm not at all satisfied with the results. There were situations where we weren't managing the game well, such as taking the lead but then being caught up in the final stages. I think the criterion for success in the league is the results. However, I also look at how the players are performing, including in training, and how hard they are working. The players are showing that. Also, I think we need to improve on fighting with determination until the very end of Trial."

(At the recent open training session, several players who had been sidelined due to injury returned. These included players like Hiiro Komori and Samuel Gustafson, who haven't played this season yet, as well as Yusuke Matsuo, who has been out for a long time. What are the prospects for these players to return to the pitch, both in the upcoming match against Kashima and in the longer term?)
"Regarding injuries, there's some good news and some not-so-good news. The good news is that Hiiro Komori 's recovery from injury is happening sooner than initially expected. He'll be on the pitch for the training match the day after the Kashima game. Unfortunately, however, we'll have to wait a little longer for Samuel and Yusuke."

(Earlier we talked about game management. If the Reds could limit their games to around 70 minutes, they could earn more points, but the remaining 20 minutes tend to go wrong. What further approaches do you think are needed to address this situation?)
"I think the decision of whether or not I make substitutions at that time also has an impact. I try to make the right substitutions and execute them with the team's best interests in mind, but I think we're still far from ideal. Especially when we're leading, we need to be determined and have a solid defense, especially in Zone 1. However, considering the sequence of events leading up to the goal conceded, I think the penalty kick for (Tokyo) Verdy was very difficult for Nemo (Nemoto). But considering the goals conceded against Kashima, (FC) Machida (Zelvia), FC Tokyo, and Kawasaki (Frontale), I think it was a situation where he could have avoided it with more determination."

(The rules are changing again this summer, and I think it's becoming more difficult to rest during play. For example, since a year ago, goalkeepers can only hold the ball for 8 seconds. If a player is down, the added time becomes much longer. From this summer, throw-ins must be done within 5 seconds or the ball goes to the opposing team, and goal kicks must be kicked quickly or they become corner kicks. So players will have less and less time to catch their breath outside of play, and I think it will become important to manage their physical strength well during play. I think what we're talking about now is related to this overall trend in football, but what are your thoughts, Coach Maciej?)
"I think the ability to maintain possession and keep the ball will become crucial. Overall, we've improved in keeping the ball for longer periods, and I think that's also necessary towards the end of Trial. For example, looking at the sequence of events that led to the penalty in the Verdy match, we stole the ball from the opponent and rushed our attack, resulting in the ball being returned to them twice in a row. To avoid that, we need to be calmer, keep possession of the ball, draw out the opponent, and then exploit the space when it opens up. I think the need to do that without rushing will be necessary under the new rules."

(There was talk that if the game was cut off at around 70 minutes, they could have earned more points, but are you aware that if the regional league rankings for the 100-Year Vision League were calculated based on points earned up to 70 minutes, Urawa Reds would be at the top?)
"For us, it's been a frustrating situation where we keep dropping points in the final stages, but it's difficult to comment on that. I think the team is growing in the process of working on new ways of playing. In that sense, it can be seen as a positive, but I think we need to do a better job of managing the end of Trial."

(The reason I brought this up is because when Maciej first took over as manager of Urawa Reds in 2023, there were nearly 20 Trial where they managed to equalize or even come back from conceding the first goal, right?)
"However, I think these two teams were completely different. The way they trained and managed Trial was different from what it is now."

(That's the point I wanted to clarify before I heard your explanation. We tend to think that if the same person is in charge, we'll get the same results, but the reason the results aren't actually good is, as you just said, because the players are different, the training is different, the style of football they're aiming for and the style of football they're working on are different, right?)
"Shifting to a more attacking style of football is something we've been working on through discussions among the staff and players, and it's something we wanted to do, and something I was also interested to see. Of course, this comes with more risks, and it might make game management more difficult, but we are taking on this challenge."

(I believe that if you keep doing the right things, the right results will follow. I support your football, so I hope you'll do your best.)
"thank you"

(Your next match will be against Kashima. What are your impressions of Kashima now?)
"They are a champion team. I think they are a very well-balanced team with great teamwork. In our last match against them, we were leading by two goals but conceded three from set pieces and lost. In Saturday's Trial, we need to make sure we defend well around the penalty area."

(Regarding game management, which we've been discussing, I think there are various elements depending on the flow of Trial, so I don't think there's a single training method that will improve it. But what approach did Coach Maciej take with the team in this week's meetings and training sessions to improve game management?)
"We analyze crucial moments and discuss what we can improve. Also, there were individual mistakes involved in the goal we conceded towards the end of that Trial, so we need to avoid those kinds of mistakes. No matter the situation, whether you're a starter or a substitute, whether you play for 30 minutes or 5 minutes, I think it's necessary to always approach the game with the attitude of thinking about what's best for the team. Substitute players who are brought on in difficult situations need time to get used to Trial. I want to consider all of these things when making substitutions."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]