Coach Cerezo checking his touch by kicking the ball
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In the afternoon, an official press conference was held, attended by Head Coach Toninho Cerezo and player Takasaki.
Coach Cerezo:
I think this is a do-or-die match for us. We want to work hard to get a good result. I think Guangzhou Evergrande is the strongest team in this group. The fact that they have 9 points shows their strength. They probably have the best players in China, and their foreign players are very decisive, adding extra value and becoming key contributors. There are players with decisiveness and excellent predatory instincts. They have players with excellent abilities in attack, and their midfielders are experienced and possess the ability to calmly connect passes on the ground, as well as good passing and possession skills. Overall, I think they are a team with players of very high caliber. Their 4-3-3 formation is a rational approach to their opponents. Even when they are not in their rhythm during a match, some players know how to regain it. I think their current standing and points reflect this experience.
However, even in the away game, we were able to show our own style and score. The fact that seven goals were scored shows that both teams played with the aim of scoring against the opponent, playing that kind of football. Both teams are constantly trying to show spectacular football, or the true essence of football. I think that attitude is evident. We are also confident, and we will maintain respect for our opponents until kickoff. From kickoff, we will focus on what we need to do, on our own football, and fight until the end with the goal of winning.
Regarding Guangzhou Evergrande, I can talk about their tactics and players, but since I don't work in the Chinese league, it's difficult to comment on their detailed situation or their league position. We have watched some of their matches, and having played against them recently, we have seen their strengths and weaknesses. However, it's difficult to comment on their league position. Often, people abroad say, "I watch world football," but that's a complete lie. It's impossible to watch every match in the league you work in. It's difficult to watch all matches before the next one. Moreover, watching world football is difficult. Unless someone doesn't sleep at all, I think it's difficult to grasp everything. So, it's difficult to comment on the opponent's league position.
It's difficult to try anything different in just a few days. Also, the match against Sagan Tosu on Friday required us to come from behind after conceding first, so there was a lot of physical exertion. First, we need to prioritize recovery. This club has the most titles in Japan and has always been at the forefront. Winning is taken for granted, and winning titles is strictly demanded of this club. Everyone who works here, including players, staff, and front office, has been communicating with each other about what needs to be done to win, the art of winning. We are always conscious of that. The fact that we didn't get good results at the beginning of this season was unimaginable and unexpected. Nevertheless, winning one match has relieved the pressure of having to get the first win. Now we can concentrate on what we need to do.
The best thing is that we have a match against the best club in China, and we are the club with the most titles in Japan. What I hope for most is that tomorrow, instead of 10,000, there will be 15,000, 20,000, or 30,000 supporters, and the players will have an environment to play football in. That's what I wish for most. From there, the supporters of both teams and reporters from both countries will imagine "this is how the match will unfold" and pursue their respective dreams as they watch the game, which is the fun of football. Today, too, I imagine supporters of both teams will be discussing and talking over drinks about "what will happen tomorrow." I think that's the fun of football. As long as both teams play football that constantly aims for goals, a spectacle can be expected. If we, who have suffered three consecutive defeats, want to advance from the group stage, we must first win three consecutive matches. The first step is tomorrow's match. To take that first step, we must work 5 or 10 meters harder than the opponent. We must show that extra effort through our actions. If we can do that for a full 90 minutes, I think we can achieve a good victory.
We have 28 players, and most of them are young. They are still preparing to compete in matches, but they have to fight on such a big stage. It might be a good experience for the young players, but as long as they are with this club, they must always approach it with a fierce determination to win. They must be most aware of that. I hope we can continue this work and achieve good results as a whole club tomorrow. I think this match will be an Asian derby.
Takasaki:
The Antlers have lost three straight, but I believe we can advance from the group stage if we win three straight. First, if we don't win tomorrow, it will be difficult to advance. We want to play our best in tomorrow's match and get a good result. First, we want to win. All of Guangzhou Evergrande's players are top-class in both attack and defense, and they are definitely strong. However, Antlers is a powerful team, and since it's our home game and the pitch conditions are good, I think Antlers can play a good game tomorrow. Winning in the league on Friday probably eased some of the pressure of needing a win, and as we go through a series of matches from now on, it's important for Antlers to keep winning. I want to build on tomorrow's win and get through this series of matches with victories.
From Guangzhou Evergrande, Head Coach Fabio Cannavaro and player Zheng Zhi attended.
Coach Cannavaro:
It's natural for a team not to want to lose. Right now, in the Chinese league, our opponents are playing with all their might, so we are in a tough situation. However, a loss is not because the players are not trying hard. I instruct the players to play well. In the ACL too, we have the important goal of winning. We are currently competing in both the league and the ACL. We want to work hard to achieve good results in both. We will try our best in tomorrow's match as well. The team plays a match every 3 or 4 days. The current injury situation is difficult, but it doesn't have a big impact on the game. In a game, there are wins, losses, and draws, but every time, the players fight with all their might and try to win, so I have no complaints. In every match, I use the best combination of players. Since the goal is very big, I don't make any special arrangements for a single match. The current injury situation is severe, but I want to work hard to achieve good results at the end of the season.
Player Zheng Zhi:
The injured players are gradually recovering. I myself participated in training yesterday. We need to monitor the recovery status going forward. Some new players have gotten injured, but all the players who could come to Japan came. The team is currently in a difficult situation, but when I talk to the players, we tell each other that "there are good times and there are difficult times." We want to gain experience from this situation and keep working hard. Away games have many unpredictable factors compared to home games. Right now, it's important for all the players to unite and work hard together. As the coach said, there are many matches in April and May. As we play at a pace of one match every three or four days, we want to try our best to show our strength and get back on a growth trajectory. New players have joined the team, and the player combinations have changed a bit. The mutual cooperation is not yet at its best. I think we will cooperate more and become smoother from now on. The fact that opposing teams come up with different strategies doesn't mean we are not strong. From now on, we want to consider different responses depending on the opponent's strategy.
After the press conference, the Guangzhou Evergrande players also held their pre-match practice. Like the Antlers, only the first 15 minutes were open to the public, and they conducted passing drills. Coach Cannavaro also joined the training, and it was a relaxed session filled with laughter.
