Maya Yoshida: You can achieve a lot with good team spirit

Maya, the second half of the season is almost upon us. How are you feeling ahead of the Frankfurt game?
I’m pleased that league action is finally back. We’ve had more than two months since our last competitive game and we’re all excited to be playing for points again in the Bundesliga. We know how important a good start will be considering where we are in the table after 15 matchdays.

Many fans will be making the trip to support the team. Will that give you an extra boost?
Our fans are simply incredible. We’re really thankful for their amazing support, both in home and away games – you don’t get this at many clubs. We’re never alone, regardless of where we play, and that gives us strength. We want to thank our fans with good performances and positive results.

Many supporters also made the trip to Belek and you had a chat with some of them at the fan evening. What did they say to you?
Please keep us in the Bundesliga! I heard that more than once that evening.

You put in ten days of hard work in Turkey to get ready for the Bundesliga. What was the focus of the sessions at the training camp?
We worked on everything. Our attacking play, our defending, set pieces, and even some fitness work too. Our intensity was good in training sessions and every player gave their best. Unfortunately, we lost both Sebastian Polter and Justin Heekeren to bad injuries and they will be out for a while now. You always hope the whole squad can stay injury-free, but it’s just part of football sadly.

What has to improve in the second half of the season in order to pick up more points than before the winter break?
It’s quite simple really. We have to score more goals and concede fewer. All parts of the team need to perform if we’re going to be successful.

You were at the World Cup with Japan and you picked up shock results by beating Spain and Germany. What was the decisive factor in getting these wins?
We weren’t necessarily the favourites. Spain and Germany are both good teams, but we managed to beat them both, partly down to our team spirit. You can achieve a lot with good team spirit. We were also well prepared. We analysed our opponents thoroughly before the games and that paid off in the end.

Could this team spirit also be the key to success at Schalke?
You automatically have more confidence if you have prepared well. We worked well in the training camp and we have a good togetherness here at Schalke, just like in the national team. We’re a team and everyone plays for one another.

You were beaten by Croatia on penalties in the round of 16. Shortly after the tournament you spoke of your disappointment, because you had set your sights on the quarter-finals. Now some time has passed, how proud are you of what you achieved?
I still feel the same. It was obviously great to get through our group with Spain and Germany, especially as we actually won the group. Nevertheless, going out in the round of 16 wasn’t our aim. We said before the tournament that we wanted to reach the quarter-finals so that we can take football in Japan to the next level.

Were you in contact with your Schalke teammates during the World Cup?
Yes, a lot of the lads messaged me during the tournament. Our WhatsApp group was going crazy too. The coaching team and the board also contacted me regularly to wish me good luck and congratulate me. That was really nice.

What did your German teammates say about the win over Germany?
Congratulations. They acknowledged that we played well and got the win. They were pleased for me and that just shows the good team spirit we have here at Schalke.

After a short break, you returned to training at Schalke before Christmas and then took part in the friendly against Osnabrück. How did you spend your time after that?
I flew to England. I’ve still got a house in Southampton (for whom he played for between 2012 and 2020). I’ve not been there very often since my move to Sampdoria and due to the pandemic. The few days without training around the Christmas period were a good chance to spend some time in England with my family. We also could check that everything was alright with the house.

Did you watch a Southampton game?
Yes, on Boxing Day. There’s a real tradition of football being played on that day in England. I unfortunately wasn’t able to see them win, they lost 3-1 at home to Brighton. Just like Schalke, my former club are also near the wrong end of the table. I’m confident both clubs can beat the drop in the end.

Soichiro Kozuki, another Japanese player, was brought into the first team a few weeks ago. A few days ago you mentioned that you were his most important point of reference in the team. Just how do you help him both on and off the pitch?
I help him, but I’m letting him find his own way too. That’s really important, particularly for young players. I’m obviously always there if he needs any advice. I’m not always by his side in training and telling him what to do. That wouldn’t work anyway because we’re in different positions. Sochiro impressed during the friendlies. I hope that he can help us in the Bundesliga with a few goals or assists.

Speaking of Japan, Makoto Hasebe and Daichi Kamada, two of your compatriots, are players at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Both are fantastic players. Makoto was captain of the national team before me and we played together for a number of years. He’s a great guy and has had an incredible career. Daichi was at the World Cup with me. He’s been one of the most impressive players recently in the Bundesliga. I hope they both finish the season well and win lots of games, just not against us!

Will you exchange one or two messages before the match?
No. I will be fully focused on my job with my team, and I think that will be the same with Makoto and Daichi. We will definitely chat after the game, but Schalke is the only thing that matters for me before the match.