|
|
Shinji Okazaki reflects on Stuttgart struggles after DFB-Pokal exit on Wednesday
The Samurai Blue regular was pulled just before the hour mark after a poor display against Bayern Munich in which his heavy touch wasted many potential chances
Feb 9, 2012 5:49:00 AM
By Dan Orlowitz
Getty Images
Stuttgart attacker Shinji Okazaki was, like his team-mates, at a loss for answers following their 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich in Germany's DFB-Pokal on Wednesday night.
The result was the latest in a series of disappointments for Stuttgart, who are winless in their past seven Bundesliga fixtures and have dropped to the bottom half of the table.
"We've been losing a lot lately and perhaps it's a little intimidating to try to press forward," Okazaki said after the match.
"Bayern were able to play passing football. They were able to connect those one-touch passes, and at the end of the play their quality was very high and they were able to score.
"I think if we'd concentrated more in the centre we wouldn't have been done in like that, so all we can do is improve on that going forward."
When asked about several wasted chances, including one right before his 57th-minute substitution, the Samurai Blue regular recognised that he needed to improve his play.
"Right now one thing I have to work on is my snap judgement," the 25-year-old admitted. "If you don't make the best decision in each second, it's impossible to break the deadlock.
"Especially in the situation we're in, if I can make the right judgement and score it will help us recover."
Okazaki also replied to questions regarding the team's communication in the face of a mounting winless streak.
"As a team all we can do is discuss it together," the former Shimizu S-Pulse man said. "We're already having lots of discussions about our situation, and I think things will improve.
"Like last season when we avoided relegation we need to create blocks and build up from them. That's how we tried to play today, but we were simply outplayed."
The result was the latest in a series of disappointments for Stuttgart, who are winless in their past seven Bundesliga fixtures and have dropped to the bottom half of the table.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
"We've been losing a lot lately and perhaps it's a little intimidating to try to press forward," Okazaki said after the match.
"Bayern were able to play passing football. They were able to connect those one-touch passes, and at the end of the play their quality was very high and they were able to score.
"I think if we'd concentrated more in the centre we wouldn't have been done in like that, so all we can do is improve on that going forward."
When asked about several wasted chances, including one right before his 57th-minute substitution, the Samurai Blue regular recognised that he needed to improve his play.
"Right now one thing I have to work on is my snap judgement," the 25-year-old admitted. "If you don't make the best decision in each second, it's impossible to break the deadlock.
"Especially in the situation we're in, if I can make the right judgement and score it will help us recover."
Okazaki also replied to questions regarding the team's communication in the face of a mounting winless streak.
"As a team all we can do is discuss it together," the former Shimizu S-Pulse man said. "We're already having lots of discussions about our situation, and I think things will improve.
"Like last season when we avoided relegation we need to create blocks and build up from them. That's how we tried to play today, but we were simply outplayed."
Follow Goal.com Asia on 
and 
for the latest in Asian footballing news, features, and analysis
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Germany must drop their gutless Bayern stars
The Bavarians appeared to buckle under the pressure of Saturday's match against Chelsea. Now Goal.com investigates whether several in their ranks remain worthy to start for country
-
Cartoon: Too big for Portugal, Hulk eyes Chelsea
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
The cost of Villarreal's dramatic fall from grace
The Yellow Submarine have fallen through La Liga's trap door, and their financial prudence will be pushed to the limit as they aim to restructure for life in the Segunda
-
All the players available for free in Spain
With the exception of Real Madrid and Barcelona, all of the clubs in the Primera Division will be releasing first-team footballers imminently. Goal.com takes a closer look
-
Del Piero's farewell Serie A's Moment of the Season
The legendary No.10 waved goodbye to Juventus after 19 years, scoring a goal and making a mid-game lap of honour against Atalanta in May
