Nagoya is undefeated in 10 games(8 wins, 2 draws) and they conceded only one goal(own goal in the opening game). But everyone thoughts that it would not be the easy game. Because Tosu spends the best season ever so far, they already got 17 points in 11 games. So the game was very unexpectable before it started. Actually the giant killing happened.
Massimo Ficcadenti coached SAGAN TOSU in 2016-2018 seasons. Yutaka YOSHIDA and Tatsuya MORISHITA also used to play for TOSU before NAGOYA. What’s more, TomoyaKOYAMATSU played for NAGOYA after he graduated from his high school. So many players know play style each other.
They didn’t concede any goals against opponents except only 1 own goal by YOSHIDA in the opening match. TOSU scored the goal only first 6 mins in the first half. TOSU threw the ball from the left side line, and Noriyoshi SAKAI quickly responded and delivered the cross to U-24 Japan national team player Daichi HAYASHI. His header stopped NAGOYA’s record. Perfect cross and perfect header, Langerak almost touched the ball, but unfortunately the ball went to the goal net.
But this time TOSU did it. Last time the match against SHONAN was actually in the same situation. It happened because SHONAN’s player was sent off. NAGOYA doesn’t like this situation because keeping possession to score the goal isn’t their style after Ficcadenti started to coach.
It’s not too much to say that two strikers HAYASHI and SAKAI ruined NAGOYA’s plan. Especially SAKAI’s post play made national class CB players NAKATANI and MARUYAMA struggle to take the ball.
NAGOYA only passed to square for the short range with the same tempo in the first half. While NAGOYA kept the possession, they did not created the chance. But Yoichiro KAKITANI who came to the pitch from the second half made the good rhythm for the team. He received the ball at the vital area and delivered the ball to the forward, but not square.
He created the chance a lot. And also Takuji YONEMOTO came to the pitch from the second half, he corrected the ball and he always gave the pressure to TOSU. YONEMOTO proved how much NAGOYA needs him!
Mateus was out and KIMOTO came to the pitch after 85 mins. He usually has the role as a defensive player to keep the lead. But this time he stayed at the front line. I thought Ficcadenti made it because there were no options any more, but he showed the new NAGOYA option.
Actually his performance was apparently better than the striker YAMAZAKI though his play time was only 10 mins. He threated TOSU and his run made the chance and helped INAGAKI to score the goal.
NAGOYA didn’t seem to concentrate on the game
NAGOYA’s player was always late for the action to the second ball. It seemed that they were super tiered because of the grueling schedule and their tight defending style to keep no conceded goals. But only quarter of the season is done. It makes supporters anxious. But KAKITANI and KIMOTO showed little hope in the second half. I hope it’ll be getting better and better.
