MATCHES
Match schedule and results
2024.3.30(Sat) 13:00 KICK OFF

1
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1

78 ' Naoto ARAI
76 ' WELTON
Player's comments after the match
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Head Coach comments after the match
Head Coach Poyatos: "First of all, I think today's game was pretty evenly matched overall, and the 1-1 result was a fair result for both teams. In the first half, we were creating opportunities to damage the other team in our own way, while the other team was creating chances in return. I think that as a team, we were able to endure the difficult times throughout the first and second halves, and by enduring them, we were able to score the opening goal. After that, we allowed the other team to score, but considering the time and the flow of the game, I think that's something we need to reflect on. After that, we conceded a goal, but we were able to switch gears and do what we needed to do, and we were able to push the other team again, so I think that was really good. I think it was good that we were able to get this one point at the most difficult stadium today."
Q: "This was the first goal for new recruit WELTON since his transfer, and it put us in the lead. What is your assessment of his performance in today's game?"
Head Coach Poyatos: "As I said to the reporters at a press conference like this before, ever since I came to Gamba, I've been looking for a player who can make a difference on the wing, so I'm really happy that WELTON came in, and I think it was good that he was able to make a difference on the wing in those situations."
Q: "At the start of the second half, I got the impression that you were using WELTON on the right wing a little bit, and that you were using him on both sides depending on the situation. Is that the intention to use him differently depending on the situation?"
Head Coach Poyatos: "Yes, WELTON is a player who can play on either the right or left side without any problems, and there were many scenes where he played on the right side in the teams he was with up until now. When I talk to him, he says that he has no problem playing on the right, so I think he can play on both sides. My own way of thinking is not so much about positions, but rather how to create space, and also in close-quarters and duels, so rather than positions, I always think about where I can cause damage as a team and position the players."
Q: I'd like to ask two questions. In the first half, it seemed like you were able to break through Hiroshima's front line pressure, but how do you evaluate your countermeasures? On the other hand, in the second half, I think you were under attack for a number of times until you scored the opening goal. What is your evaluation of Hiroshima's offensive line?
Head Coach Poyatos: "First of all, the fact that we were able to remove the press in the first half is something we have been training for. When I was analyzing Urawa's games, I got the impression that Urawa's way of playing was to go directly to the ball and engage in duels, so we had to prevent that. Hiroshima has three players up front, and I think there are five if you include the wingbacks, but I was particularly conscious of placing two players behind the three up front. The opponent will also come out from there, so I was thinking about how Araki on the back line would react, and if he came out, I would attack from behind with the wing, and if he didn't, I would have a free player between the lines. I have always thought that Hiroshima is a really good team, and Head Coach Skibbe in particular has a really great personality and character, and I think he is a really friendly Head Coach and is building a team that can aim for the title. Hiroshima's attack is really fluid, and when they get a breakthrough, they become positive and people come together. They play really great football, and I think that's what led to the opponent's momentum in the second half.
Q: "Not only the starting players, but also the substitute players are moving very well, and I think the player base is very deep this year. What does the current situation of having so many players you want to use produce for the team?"
Head Coach Poyatos: "First of all, I think the mentality has changed, and I think that energy has been instilled in this team, including the new players, within that mentality. Also, in April and May, we will have a string of consecutive games, so in managing the team, we absolutely have to use all of this player base. If we go with a fixed lineup, we will probably have injuries or players who are forced to withdraw, so we really have to fight these consecutive games together, and I think this player base is having a positive impact in that respect."