Last night, VISSEL KOBE which has world renown players Thomas VERMAELEN, Gotoku SAKAI, Sergi SAMPER, Andrés INIESTA welcomed NAGOYA GRAMPUS which has the best defenders in J League.
Though Andrés INIESTA has been absent since last season after ACL match, VISSEL KOBE had been undefeated this season. I can say they had a quite good start.
VISSEL KOBE
This match, it was the first time for 4 players to be on the starting player’s list. Especially fast wide wingers MASUYAMA and SASAKI were remarkable because it meant that VISSEL KOBE was apparently beware on NAGOYA’s side attacking.
NAGOYA GRAMPUS
NAGOYA GRAMPUS has been undefeated as well, they won all games so far. Their advanced defensive tactics never give any chances against any attackers. NAOGYA also sent new 3 players as starting players, and it was the first time for them as NAGOYA GRAMPUS players. NAKATANI who had played full time for all games from last season was on the bench, that was the big challenge for NAGOYA. Considering no players couldn’t have his role last year, a lot of concerns remained before the kick-off. But if this strategy works on, NAGOYA will get a big advantage for this long grueling schedule season.
KOBE and NAGOYA didn’t give chances to use strong points each other from the beginning
Usually Left side YOSHIDA and SOMA, Right side MIYAHARA and Mateus showed good combinations and deliver the cross in NAGOYA’s game. But this time they didn’t have kind of chances. While NAGOYA struggled to use side area attacking, KOBE defensive midfielder and defenders also failed to control the game from the middle area. There were no effective passes to attacking players.
SASAKI and MASUYAMA blocked the strong points of NAGOYA
NAGOYA wanted to give the ball to the attacking focal point Mateus. But YAMAGUCHI and SASAKI always stayed the point where they could approach to Mateus. Mateus usually take on defenders but Gotoku SAKAI were one of the best left-back players in the league and also he had other defenders SASAKI or YAMAGUCHI. It was never easy for even Mateus to create the chance. While Mateus struggled to find the chance, also left side area for NAGOYA were silent. YOSHIDA took on defenders but MASUYAMA marked him very tight. And MASUYAMA also took on a defender with his fast speed and skills over and over. It limited YOSHIDA to go on attacking.
NAGOYA blocked the ball delivered to YAMAGUCHI HOTARU in the middle area
YAMAGUCHI joined defenders to build up but one of defensive midfielders INAGAKI or NAGASAWA always approached YAMAGUCHI, so YAMAGUCHI didn’t have a chance to receive the ball in the middle then he stayed at side area. Also YAMAGUCHI’s partner YASUI couldn’t control the game, then KOBE defenders just delivered the ball to DOUGLAS simply or they just kept passing in their side. So it was easy for NAGOYA to get the chance on KOBE’s mistakes and got the ball.
NAGOYA gave defenders pressure from attacking area till their last match, but this time they didn’t chase the ball till KOBE came over the half line. But if YAMAGUCHI came down to defender’s line, NAGOYA gave them strong pressure, so NAGOYA apparently kept their eyes on YAMAGUCHI to receive the ball in the middle area.
GOKE showed the possibility to break NAGOYA’s high block
The end of first half, GOKE came down to receive the ball. It helped YAMAGUCHI to have the space to receive the ball, then KOBE started to have the tempo. It meant that KOBE needed other players who can control the game under high pressure, and they were on the bench in the first half World class player Sergi Samper and young promising player Shion INOUE. I predicted that one of them would come to the pitch and change the game.
Remarkable 1 on 1 Asahi MASUYAMA vs Yutaka YOSHIDA
Yutaka YOSHIDA is known as he is good at 1 on 1, but this time MASUYAMA dominated YOSHIDA a little bit on both attacking and defending situation. MASUYAMA grew up a lot while he played for AVISPA FUKUOKA last season. He is apparently stronger and faster than before. But YOSHIDA didn’t give him any critical chances even though he gave him initiative. Though MAUSYAMA got a ball from YOSHIDA, his pass went to INAGAKI for NAGOYA and he scored the goal. MASUYAMA showed a lot of potential but he’s still got a long way to go.
Most Valuable Player in the first half Sho INAGAKI
INAGAKI sealed KOBE’s strong points. And he scored the beautiful goal and no one doubts that it will be nominated as the best goal this match week. Japan Teams selected him as the Most Valuable Player for NAGOYA last season, and he still has proved that he is indispensable for NAGOYA this season.
— 名古屋グランパス / Nagoya Grampus (@nge_official) March 13, 2021
3. Second half Review
INOUE and SAMPER featured together
I predicted that INOUE or SAMPER featured from the second half, but MIURA coach chose both of them. In defensive situation YAMAGUCHI positioned in the center area but when KOBE had the ball, INOUE or SAMPER played in the center area and YAMAGUCHI were on the left side.
INOUE and SAMPER didn’t lose the ball easily, so they made VERMAELEN and OSAKI keep the high position and deliver the ball to the attacking area.
KOBE made NAGOYA Defenders far from their Attackers
INAGAKI and NAGASAWA made decision where they started to pressure from based on where YAMAGUCHI and YASUI were. But YAMAGUCHI stayed at high left position and INOUE or SAMPER received the ball in the center area instead of YAMAGUCHI. So the ball was delivered to DOUGLAS or GOKE from three points. Then One of NAGOYA’s defensive players had to stay front of GOKE or DOUGLAS. So one of KOBE midfielder held the ball with free. On the other hand, it was a relief for NAGOYA that the KOBE side attack lost speed until FURUHASHI featured after SASASKI and MASUYAMA were out. But anyway long distance between NAGOYA’S attackers and defenders gave KOBE initiative.
the Most Valuable Player in the second half Mateus
Mateus apparently adopted Massimo’s Italian football. He didn’t show creative play this time but he dedicated himself into the team even in the defending situation. He contributed to NAGOYA to get three points without goal conceded. This Brazilian player who got defending and attacking skills will step up to European or South American League near the future.
LANGERAK usually shows super saving 4 or 5 times in the game but he didn’t have a big job in this game because defenders didn’t give KOBE chances to take shots. KIMOTO didn’t make DOUGLAS do his job, midfielders marked KOBE players tightly not to give them any space. NAGOYA showed perfect defense against KOBE, so KOBE didn’t have any chances for scoring the goal.
KOBE actually didn’t make NAGOYA use their strong points in side area. And KOBE controlled the game in the second half. But if they want to win the league, they shouldn’t have made mistakes which caused goal conceded like first half. Next game against KAWASAKI, I hope I will see more creative attacking tactics.
