On the 23rd, manager Maciej Skorza held an online press conference where he spoke about his enthusiasm for the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 35 match against FC Machida Zelvia [MATCH PARTNER Mitsubishi Heavy Industries] to be held at Saitama Stadium on (Sat) the 25th.

I think we can all agree that the last game wasn't good, but is there anything you emphasized after the big 0-4 loss this past week?
"Immediately after Trial, I told the players in the locker room that it was a disastrous Trial. In particular, in the first half, we played at a lower level than usual, which is unacceptable. Physically, mentally, and tactically, something that should never have happened occurred. In order to erase the impression of a very bad Trial, I have told the players to make the most of each day this week and not waste it, and to prepare so that they can play well in the match against Machida."

(In the match against Yokohama F･Marinos Takuro Kaneko received a red card and was suspended for four Trial, meaning he will not be able to play this season. What are your thoughts on this incident, Coach Maciej, and what do you think about sportsmanship?)
"It was another negative aspect of the match against Yokohama F. Marinos Marinos. Takuro's behavior after receiving the red card should never have happened. He behaved in the way he did when everyone around him was nervous about the flow of Trial, the progress of the match, the atmosphere in the stadium, and perhaps the referee's decision. He needs to act more calmly and responsibly. His sending off will have an impact not only on this Trial, but on all the remaining Trial of the season. Takuro is a very important player for us, and I think our attacking power will be reduced without him."

(I could see your reaction to the referee's decision. You're human, so you can get frustrated sometimes, but it's not good to play a game where you're battling with the decision, rather than focusing on your battle with the opponent or your tactics. Watching the atmosphere in the second half from outside the pitch, I think you wanted your players to stay calm. Is there anything you could have done as a manager?)
"I think it was an important lesson for the whole team. We can't turn back time, but I think we can use this experience in the future. In times of tension, like the final stages of the match against Yokohama F. Marinos Marinos, it's important for us to talk to each other and stay calm. For example, if something like that were to happen when we're fighting for the championship in the future, it could lead to us missing out on the title. So I think it's an area where we as a team need to take responsibility and stay calm. You can see this from time to time when you watch soccer anywhere in the world, but if a teammate is nervous or unstable, they will talk to them and calm them down. I think taking action like that is also a form of teamwork."

(What do you think was the reason for your tactical breakdown in the first half of the match against Yokohama F. Marinos?)
"I think there are several factors. I gave the players feedback from this Trial, and the main point was to go back to our basics. What are our strengths? For example, why were we able to beat Vissel Kobe? As a team, we have main rules. If we don't follow them, I don't think we'll win no matter who we're playing against. For example, we need to work hard, run hard and be aggressive when we're applying high pressure, and be strict in the ball area. We also made defensive mistakes that we haven't seen recently. We weren't able to stay compact, or we weren't able to create a good defensive shape in zone 1. I think the fourth goal we conceded was a big mistake in our system. We had trained in zone 2 and other areas in preparation for Trial, but we didn't make good decisions there and the plays we trained didn't come out. However, I also think it's true that my decisions didn't help the team. I was hoping that our more experienced players would play a little differently, but perhaps the combination I chose wasn't good."

(After the big loss, how you play and what attitude you show in the next game will be important. What are your thoughts on the match against Machida?)
"First of all, I would like to say to our fans and supporters that we have not given up, that we will fight hard, and that we have the ability to take three points no matter which J.League team we face. We would like to show top-level motivation and attitude and erase the bad performance we showed recently."

(Did you have any personal conversations with Kaneko since he returned to the team?)
"I have spoken to him. I basically want to protect my players. I understand that he reacted that way as a human being in that situation, but as a professional, it was unacceptable behavior. It is a big problem, and the right wing was Takuro's domain, so his absence will have a big impact on us. We also have several players with medical issues, so we must avoid cases like Takuro's."

(I have only ever met Kaneko for interviews, but he seems calm and collected. I imagine he apologized when he returned to the team, but what was his reaction like?)
"Takuro is very intelligent, and I have always given him the highest praise for his behavior. That's why I was surprised by his reaction. However, he is also human, and he makes mistakes. Takuro himself recognizes that this incident was serious, so if a similar situation were to arise again, I believe he would act completely differently."

(This incident seemed like a freak accident, but do you think the Reds need a player with stronger leadership skills to control these kinds of things, or do you feel there are other changes that need to be made going forward?)
"I think this case was more of a personal reaction than a leadership issue. As you said, it was more of an accident. Leadership is a very important topic for us, but I would like to avoid discussing it at this press conference."

(After training on the 21st, one of the players told us reporters that this season, after conceding a goal, he would sometimes feel down and lose his nerve. Do you have any thoughts on the mentality of being able to bounce back from difficult situations on the pitch? Is there anything you would like to ask of the players in terms of mentality for the remaining four Trial?)
"Regarding the last Trial, I'm not saying that the first goal we conceded didn't affect our mentality, but I think we were trying to control the game and change the flow of the game. I think our attitude changed a little after we conceded the second goal. I think there are questions about why we reacted that way and why we can't play like we do at home when we're away. This is the first time in my life that I've been at the top of the league at home and then near the bottom of the league when we're away. We have experienced players and skilled players on this team, so I think we need to react better in those situations, and if we can't do that, I don't think we'll be successful. So I want to encourage the players to act responsibly in all situations. We have players with a lot of experience and great personalities in our dressing room, so I think part of my job is to make sure that they can demonstrate that."

(The data covers the final five league Trial over the eight years from 2017, when the J.League switched to a single-season system, to 2024. Of the 40 Trial played, the Reds have 10 wins, 11 draws, and 19 losses, meaning they are unable to finish the season on an upward trend. Furthermore, while their home win rate is 38.1 percent, their away win rate is only 16.7 percent. This is not to say that they are weak away from home this year; the data shows that the Reds are particularly weak at the end of the season and away from home. This may just be a natural part of the team's constitution, but what do you think, manager Maciej?)
"I think you know more about the past eight years than I do, so it's a little difficult for me to comment on this. But it's very interesting data. I've said this since I first arrived, but Saitama Stadium is a very special place, a place where magic happens. I think it's a place where the fans and supporters give the team positive energy. However, if Urawa Reds want to win titles, I think they need to change this data."

In 2023, under Maciej 's leadership, the team played 34 Trial and scored 42 goals. This year, they have played exactly 34 Trial and have scored 40 goals. I think the team has more talent up front, with a winger that wasn't there two years ago and two centre-forwards joining since the summer, but the number of goals scored hasn't increased. What are your thoughts on this?
"Considering our offensive power, I think this year's level is higher in terms of technique. Two years ago, the goals were largely down to (Jose) Kante. This season, Isaac (Kise Thelin) is in the process of adapting to the team. I think the number of players who are scoring goals has increased, but there is no one who is overwhelmingly scoring goals. I also think our offensive play has improved compared to two years ago."

(I think Trial against Yokohama F. Marinos was played out in a difficult situation due to the referee's decisions. I'm not attacking the referee, but I think it was a difficult situation for a manager. For example, before the second goal was scored from a set piece, the assistant referee called for a goal kick, but the referee called for a corner kick instead, and as a result, goals were conceded from a series of corner kicks. This was similar to the third match against Shonan Bellmare, where a corner kick was awarded even though Danilo Boza had not touched the ball, which led to a goal conceded. The third goal was scored by Kakuta Ryotaro's challenge on Ayumi Niekawa, and if the subsequent offside had been established, the penalty kick should not have been awarded in the first place. Setting aside whether such decisions were unfair or not, the players had to play under stressful circumstances, but what could the bench have done?)
"There have been several Trial this season where tensions have risen in that regard. However, I'm not the type of manager to put pressure on the referee. I try to keep the bench calm, but that can be difficult at times. I think there are people in the J.League who value the referees, so as a manager I won't do that."

(It won't change the decision, but have you ever discussed with Sports Director Satoshi Horinouchi or anyone else about issuing a written opinion saying that the judge was wrong?)
"This season too, the club is taking action as necessary regarding referee decisions. We are doing what we can. That's why SD Horinouchi is in contact through the official channels. If there is a decision that we cannot accept, we make sure to communicate that clearly."

(Coach Maciej 's promise to use Segawa, young players, and Hiroki Abe has been fulfilled. Now all we need to do is accumulate points.)
"We want to respond well to our previous Trial and take Trial Trial our remaining Trial seriously, aiming to get three points."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]