On the 29th, manager Maciej Skorza held an online press conference and spoke about his enthusiasm for the upcoming Meiji Yasuda J1 League Matchday 28 game against Albirex Niigata, which will be held at Saitama Stadium on Sunday the 31st as part of the [MATCH PARTNER National University Seminar].

(Unfortunately, we've lost the last two official Trial, and it's true that we're in a tough situation, but I think it's important for the team to recover from this. How will Coach Maciej himself recover from the painful shock of these losses? What kind of rebound mentality does he intend to have going forward?)
"We are in a difficult situation. This year, we were eliminated from the Emperor's Cup, which was our goal. We also lost the important match against Kashiwa (Reysol). First of all, I think it's important not to panic and to maintain a positive mentality. We need to carefully examine why we couldn't win the last two Trial and what kind of goals we conceded, and make adjustments. We need to return to the solid foundation that we showed at the start of this season. We've lost the last two matches, but we still have the (YBC) Levain Cup and the league to play. What's important is that we show a strong mentality and a positive reaction to these defeats. And I believe that this team's locker room has the ability to move in the right direction."

(This season has a maximum of 16 Trial, and amidst all that, the signing of new forward Isaac Kiese Thelin has been announced. What are manager Maciej 's impressions of him?)
"Isaac played his last official match in mid-July, and since then he has been doing individual training with his personal coach. He has also been in contact with the Reds' physical coach. We are very pleased that he has decided to join us. He will further intensify the competition within the team for the number 9, striker position. He is a hard worker, intelligent, and technically skilled. He is the type of player who can demonstrate his technical skills in tight spaces and also combine well with those around him. He is tactically disciplined, and we have heard good things about his character. We had an online meeting once, and I got the impression that he is a very strong-willed and serious person. This is the type of player the team needs."

(There are up to 16 Trial remaining, but when do you think Isaac will be able to participate in Trial?)
"We want him to be involved in all 15 Trial. We're not too worried about his physical condition. We hope he'll adapt quickly. For him, it's still the middle of the season, so we're not too concerned. However, we want to support him so that he can get used to the J.League as quickly as possible. I think you all remember the case of Jose Kante. You'll remember that Jose Kante in his first month was a completely different player from Jose Kante at the end of the season. We hope that the staff, players, and everyone involved can create a good environment for him."

(You're facing Niigata in a tough situation. Niigata seems to have the advantage in terms of physical condition. What are your thoughts on this? Also, what are your impressions of Niigata?)
"First of all, regarding Albirex Niigata, I would say they are a different team than when we played them in May. They have a new manager and many new players. Half of their starting lineup consists of new players. Their style of play has also changed. They are increasingly making use of the strength of their Swedish player, Budha. They are physically stronger and closing down opponents more, and they are also using more long balls and recovering second balls from those plays. Looking at their position in Standings, I think they are playing every Trial with determination, putting their lives on the line. However, I think it's important not to overthink the opponent, but rather to focus on how we react to our current situation. I hope that they can maintain their high-intensity pressing and good build-up play until the final Trial, and I believe they can."

(What do you think are the factors that cause you to falter in the second half? Is it not just a physical issue?)
"I don't think there's just one reason. I think there are many factors involved. I don't think it's just physical, but I think physical is one of the reasons. I can't be completely open about everything, but I think the reaction after conceding a goal is also important. We gave feedback on the previous Trial in today's meeting. Looking at the goals we conceded in the last two Trial, I think we were lacking a bit of the solid Zone 1 defense that we're supposed to be able to do, so I talked to the players about that. There are rules that must be followed when defending, even when you're tired."

(What are the rules you mentioned earlier that you're finding it difficult to follow when you're tired?)
"For example, things like dealing with crosses in Zone 1 or responding to the opponent's side changes. However, when I analyze recent training sessions, I realize that we haven't been dedicating much time to those areas. I thought I was doing them well, so I thought it wasn't necessary to specifically practice them. We're trying to keep training as compact as possible amidst the packed schedule and this heat, but this has been a lesson for me as well. I realized that we need to create a checklist of things we should do, no matter how basic. I can't go into detail about the rules, but if you compare the second goal conceded against Kashiwa and the second goal conceded against FC Tokyo, you can see some commonalities."

(After the loss against Kashiwa, I believe the players were saying things like, "It's tough when the opponent has possession of the ball for so long," but does manager Maciej think it's more important to regain Zone 1 defense than for them to have more possession time?)
"It's not just about fixing our low defense. Before the Kashiwa match, we were doing a very good job of low defense, especially at home, and it was very difficult for the Reds to score at Saitama Stadium. I think the Kashiwa match was a bad game. We weren't able to show what we had prepared for Trial. However, FC Tokyo match was a completely different situation. I think the first half against FC Tokyo was one of our best performances of the season. We were able to control the first half well. However, in the second half, things went in a bad direction from an unexpected place. So, I'm asking the players to go back to basics and maintain that for 90 minutes. Of course, we are also thinking about how we need to further develop our build-up play. This morning, we were talking about how we can increase our chances, especially in Zone 3."

(What I find disappointing about Urawa Reds' performance this season is that they sometimes concede cheap goals. If they could reduce those conceded goals, I think they would be higher Pos, in the position that manager Maciej wants, and they could take on more challenges. Right now they're not in Pos they want, so it seems they can't take any bold measures. What are your thoughts on this?)
"We are always thinking of new strategies. Fortunately, my coaching staff consists of intelligent coaches with broad knowledge. However, I don't like to be too open about whether we will be changing anything in our tactics or strategy. I think that when Isaac arrives, it will broaden the range of play we can offer as a team."

(Now that Isaac's name has come up, I think that since the FIFA Club World Cup, when Hiiro Komori Komori is on the field, he has brought about a remarkable change for Urawa Reds. Conversely, I think it's true that when he's not playing, it's a very difficult time for the team. I think fans and supporters would agree that if Komori had been playing in the match against FC Tokyo, they might have scored the next goal.)
"I'm still questioning whether substituting Hiyori at that time was the right decision. I'm wondering if it was too early. However, it was his first game back from injury, so I was also worried about a relapse. It's true that when Hiyori comes on, the level of attack, including the build-up, goes up. He moves very well, and his link-up play with the midfielders is so good that I'm surprised he's improved this much in such a short time."

(I think the defense has improved significantly since Komori joined the team. Considering that, it seems like the team's strength declines after similar substitutions are made repeatedly. To change this situation, is it because the players coming on later aren't strong enough, or is the manager's coaching ineffective, or is there some other factor at play?)
"Generally speaking, coming onto the pitch midway through the 60th, 70th, or 80th minute is not an easy situation. However, there are roles to play, such as trying to score a goal or maintaining the current situation, and that's what we expect from the players we send onto the pitch. Rather than the level dropping, I think the difficulty lies in having players with different characteristics come on. For example, Hiyori does a very good job even with high pressing. For example, if we substitute him with Thiago (Santana), he's a striker with a different style, so the way we press changes. Depending on the position, the difference in style between the starters and substitutes is what creates some difficulty. However, the substitutes also work hard, and I think there are many instances where they do a good job. I always send them on because I believe in their skills. And I want to create a situation in the future where more players can play for longer periods of time."

(In Urawa Reds' long history, there have been at least two instances where a foreign player originally intended as a center forward played as a center back. Uwe Lahn under manager Takashi Mori, and Toninho under manager Holger Osieck. If manager Maciej values Thiago's defensive abilities, especially his height, then it would be interesting to see such a strategy employed. If such a tactic is used, wouldn't fans and supporters be more convinced that even if the team can't strengthen its defense with players during the transfer window, this is how Maciej thinks, and that's why he continues to use Thiago?)
"He's a player who has consistently scored goals and put up good numbers in the J1 League every season, so I'm grateful for that. This season, he's had some medical issues, which I think has prevented him from maintaining his level. I talk to Thiago often, and what I strongly want from him is to regain the performance he had in the opening match of this season. I was surprised by the idea you mentioned. As a manager, I don't think I would have the courage to go that far."

(Frankly speaking, as we head into the final stages of the season, aiming for the YBC Levain Cup and the league championship, are you satisfied with the current squad? What do you think needs to be done with the current members?)
"I don't think any manager in the world would be completely satisfied with the number and quality of their players. However, I am grateful for the team building this season and for the members that have been assembled. I believe these players have potential, and they are all showing hard work in daily training. What I need to do as manager from now on is to ensure that they can maintain the performance they showed in the first half against FC Tokyo for the entire 90 minutes. Once Isaac arrives, I think the balance within the team will change a little, and I will be able to raise the demands on the other attacking players even further."

(The three JFA/J.League special designated players were also in the starting lineup for the All-Japan University Select team that defeated Trial A's Fiorentina, but does manager Maciej think these three will be part of the team's strength this season? Does he have any ideas for securing depth in the squad through youth players registered as Category 2 players?)
"Among the specially designated players are players like Renji Hidano and Hayate Ueki, who can play as attacking midfielders, wingers, and strikers, and I'm not saying for sure that they won't play this season. I think they could be included in the squad if necessary."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]