Coach Cerezo and his staff were in a detailed discussion.
Despite the unstable weather today, the sky cleared and the sun shone during training. During the 15 minutes open to the public, the players conducted warm-ups and passing drills.
Sogahata catches a shot from Coach Furukawa.
Additionally, an official press conference was held in the afternoon, attended by Coach Toninho Cerezo and player Yamamoto.
Coach Cerezo:
We had a very tough start to this tournament. After that, we finally managed to recover to a position where we could advance from the group stage. However, we haven't achieved anything yet; whether our efforts and sweat will bear fruit depends on tomorrow's match. We want to work hard so that everything we've done so far doesn't go to waste.
When we played against FC Seoul in Korea, we had an excellent performance, but we conceded from a set piece. Our opponents are very well-coached. It was evident that each of their players clearly understood their positioning on the pitch, and Korean football is known for being very tough. We know that. I hope our players can do what they need to on the pitch without feeling pressured, and achieve a good result.
Our opponents have two options: win or draw. We only have one: to win. Our objective is clear, which I think makes things a bit easier for us. Tomorrow is a home game, and I believe the support from our fans will be a great strength. I hope the stadium will be full. I want them to give our players courage and provide that extra push so that we can play our football and secure all three points.
In the early matches, we were superior to our opponents in terms of content and created many chances. However, we failed in the most crucial aspect: scoring goals. On the other hand, our opponents capitalized on their few chances. And we conceded many goals from set pieces. Even in our away match against FC Seoul, despite playing well, we conceded from a set piece and lost. From this perspective, regarding the detailed analysis of ourselves, we haven't had much practice time, but we've been working on raising our players' awareness and reforming their mindset. Of course, I bear some responsibility, but the players have started to play with a stronger sense of team responsibility. We've seen an improvement in awareness. While there are still areas to improve, the fact that we've been able to consistently follow organizational agreements in several small aspects has led to this positive momentum. From Matchday 4 onwards, the condition to win became clear, so the outcome of our focused efforts to secure victories both at home and away has brought us to a situation where we can continue to dream in this tournament. If a football god exists, I believe they will reward our hard work, and we will fight with that belief.
The ACL is a very tough tournament. Furthermore, we also have to play in the league. We have to manage a very demanding schedule. To compete in two high-level tournaments, squad depth is extremely important. In terms of quality, having two full teams is difficult in Japan. While players like Ohashi and Kubota joined this year, it's not as if they can immediately play in matches. Even with talent, they need to improve their physical strength, physique, and muscle mass. Additionally, they need to develop professional-level speed, decision-making speed, tactics, and various other aspects. They need to be coached and refined. Even with talent, we can't just put them on the pitch out of sequence. We also have to consider the players' futures. Even for mid-career players, it takes time to display their skills and abilities under the pressure of having to win matches as professionals. There are many players who need guidance. Ideally, we would want to use the same starting eleven all the time, that's the current situation. Nevertheless, I want the young and mid-career players to break through and become full-fledged players as soon as possible. If there was magic, I would use it. That's the reality, but once on the pitch, they have to deliver results. For the Kofu match, we rested about five players. Yamamoto played, and we needed Shibasaki because we needed someone who could distribute the ball in midfield. We used Kaio because he's young and would recover quickly. The other players were all players who had been involved in matches. Sugimoto was the only one making his debut. Most were players who had been involved in matches and had played before, so I sent them out with expectations, but it was very sad and disappointing that the match didn't go as we envisioned. I don't want to blame the young players, but honestly, it was very sad that they couldn't meet expectations well. However, what we need to do hasn't changed. We have a match tomorrow, so we want to prepare and fight.
We have played against FC Seoul once and watched videos of them, but it is improper to talk about specific details of the opponent. It might be acceptable to comment if we had played against them many times, but at this stage, having only played them once, it would be rude to comment on our opponent. Moreover, if I were to state their strengths and weaknesses here, we wouldn't be able to play the match.
However, what I can say is that when watching ACL away games, the Spanish midfielder is a very good player. He has a wide field of vision and plays simply. He plays like another center-back in front of the actual center-backs. The coach was also an excellent player during his playing days, and I believe he has instilled the abilities he cultivated during that time into his team. They are thoroughly organized. They are compact, and while not purely defensive, they play a very solid style. Their attacking players have speed, so they wait for opponent mistakes and launch counter-attacks. Their risk-averse strategy is clear.
In the ACL, battles for loose balls are extremely important, and in that sense, they are a very competitive team. I believe this is reflected in their current ranking, and they are a team capable of advancing to the next round. However, what can be expected is a very tough match. I think the match will test how much we can express ourselves against that.
Player Yamamoto:
In the first three matches, we kept conceding from set pieces. Even though we were playing our football and getting into good positions in front of goal, we couldn't finish, and we'd be undone by a single set piece. Thanks to the coach making us aware of this in practice, and the players becoming more conscious, I think we've been able to win in the very end in the last two group stage matches.
From FC Seoul, coach Choi Yong-soo and player Jung Jo-gook attended.
Coach Choi Yong-soo:
Tomorrow's match is a very important one. This group is called the "group of death," and this match will be crucial for us to advance from it. Antlers are well-known as a prestigious club, not just in the J.League. They are a team led by an excellent coach. I think tomorrow will be a good match where both teams respect each other, but ultimately, the result is what matters. Both teams have strength, and I think the difference in concentration and the presence or absence of mistakes will be key to tomorrow's match. Both teams have sufficient strength. We have also prepared thoroughly. In that context, our attitude and approach to the match will be very important. We must believe in our own abilities and approach the match with the mindset of playing well.
Regarding fatigue, we are playing in the ACL group stage, and together with the domestic league, we have been playing under very difficult physical conditions. This applies to both teams, but we are checking our physical condition after each match. When tired, the most important thing is to maintain concentration. During the match, critical moments occur in the final few minutes. We must not make mistakes there. Where mistakes are made is also important, but that will be the key. And we must not miss the opponent's mistakes. I think such situations will arise in the final moments, so it's important to approach the match with concentration.
Antlers suffered three consecutive losses in the ACL and were on the verge of being eliminated from the group stage, but they have since gained good momentum. They are a great team. They are a team that can change a bad trend, so we need to be very careful and approach the match with caution.
There are six matches in the ACL group stage, and we are finally approaching the last match. We have had injuries during the league matches, and various other negative aspects. In that sense, tomorrow's match is very important, and I believe the result will improve the team's situation. We have prepared extensively for the ACL. Of course, it's not an easy tournament, but I believe in my players, and I intend to approach the match with confidence and concentration so that FC Seoul can show its true form. Depending on the result, this will be an important match that will determine the course of this season. We will approach it with the resolve to perform our usual best and achieve a good result.
I myself played against them when I was an active player, and they have good players like Sogahata and Ogasawara. I think Antlers are a good team. They understand very well what to do and their roles in space. And they are very attacking, being last season's top-scoring team. That must be their strong point. I can't find any weaknesses. They have players with confidence, fighting spirit, and creativity, so we must be careful. In conclusion, my impression is that I don't see any weaknesses.
Player Jung Jo-gook:
This is a very important match. It's a match to advance to the Round of 16, which is one of our goals, and we know how to get there. We must fight as one, led by our coach. The team must approach this match united.
As a forward, I feel responsible for the lack of goals. I think this is an opportunity for self-reflection. However, in tomorrow's important match, we must play as a team, not as individuals. We have been working hard to score goals, and we have good, talented players, so I think we can have a good match. Our coach knows Japan well and has a lot of information. We trust our coach and have prepared well to play our best. Of course, we know that Antlers are an excellent team, but we have also prepared to get a good result.
Antlers are a prestigious team in the J.League, and we know they are excellent. However, for us, it's not about focusing on the opponent, but about how much we can showcase our own style and how we can achieve that.
After the press conference, FC Seoul players held their pre-match practice. Similar to Antlers, only the first 15 minutes were open to the public, and they conducted passing drills.
