Last January, Japan was forced to declare its second state of emergency to combat the advance of Covid-19. “Our priority is to protect the lives of citizens,” said Yoshihide Suga, Japan's prime minister. Six weeks later, the number of cases has been drastically reduced -on February 23, more than 1,100 new infections were announced, 4,000 less than on the worst day in January-, but the borders remain closed. Also for foreign footballers and coaches who signed for a Japanese club for the 2021 season. In the midst of this chaos, the J-League kicks off without any of its great hires. Lincoln (Vissel Kobe), Bruno Uvini (FC Tokyo), Ismael Dunga (Sagan Tosu) or the new coach of Tokushima Vortis, the Spanish Daniel Poyatos, are still waiting for the end of the state of alarm, scheduled for next March 7, to obtain their work visas. All will have to comply with the mandatory quarantine, so their debuts in the J-League are not expected until next April.
After an eventful adventure in Greece, Poyatos took over the reins of a Tokushima Vortis that rose to the J-League with another Spanish coach, Ricardo Rodríguez. Tokushima has starred in a very interesting transfer market – Cacá, from Gremio, or Cristian Battocchio, international with the Italian U21s, arrived, although none of the new incorporations has yet been able to work under the orders of their new coach. “Communication with the 'staff' is not the best for a coach, but we are making a great effort,” said Poyatos from Barcelona, where he awaits the end of the state of emergency in Japan. The Spaniard, whom Marcel Sans will accompany as assistant, will have the mission of keeping the team in the First Division. It will be difficult because, for the first time in history, the relegation will involve four teams.
Dani Poyatos will only be one of three Spanish coaches competing this season in the J-League. At the controls of Urawa Red Diamonds will be the Asturian Richard Rodriguez, who signed with the 'reds' after concluding his four-season stint at Tokushima Vortis, achieving promotion to Primera as J2-League champion. “What I am most proud of is the way we have won. With an offensive football based on positional play and pressure on the rival field. And with many young people. Those were the three hallmarks of Tokushima Vortis: offensive game, high pressure and young players, “Rodríguez told AS last December. It was that, the offensive football and the confidence in the youngsters, that caught the attention of Urawa, who with Ricardo on the bench intends to return to the AFC Champions League and win the J-League title. “Every coach likes to be in a club that can fight for the titles,” confirmed Ricardo Rodríguez, who has recruited veterans -Daigo Nishi or Tatsuya Tanaka- and newcomers -Takahiro Akimoto or Atsuki Ito- for a season that should be of transition.
At the controls of Shimizu S-Pulse will be Michelangelo Lotina, who faces one of his biggest challenges in Japan after qualifying Cerezo Osaka for the Asian Champions League. Together with Iván Palanco, Lotina will seek to turn a regular relegation candidate like Shimizu into one of the rivals to beat in the J-League. Those from Shizuoka have reinforced all their lines: Shuichi Gonda will occupy the goal, Yoshinori Suzuki will improve the defense, Teruki Hara the center of the field and Akira Disaro, who scored 18 goals with Giravanz Kitakyushu last season in Second, will be in charge of materializing the occasions. Lotina has already improved the performances of Tokyo Verdy and Cerezo Osaka, so his arrival at Shimizu is bad news for all the clubs that will fight to avoid relegation.
Without Iniesta but with four other Spanish footballers
There will be five Spanish footballers who will compete this season in the J-League, although the most mediatic, Andrew Iniesta, will not start the season due to the rupture in the rectus femoris in his right leg that forced him to undergo surgery last December. The one from Fuentealbilla, who is facing his fourth season – third complete – in the ranks of Vissel Kobe, was injured in the final phase of the AFC Champions League and will not reappear until next April. Yes it will be available to Atsuhiro Miura Sergi Samper, which begins its third season in Japan with the firm objective of taking Kobe back to the Champions League. Another ex of FC Barcelona, Isaac Basin, will play the J-League with Vegalta Sendai, who will have the mission of not repeating the disastrous results of last season, when he finished in 17th position and conceded 61 goals in 34 games. He will fight to elude descent, as the newly promoted Wasp Fukuoka from Juanma Delgado placeholder image Y Carlos Gutierrez.