Haha you made my day ^^. Of course it's possible that he gets backed on the bench again but for now it looks good + to be fair, he is a fighter who never let themself down.
Yeah, coach said that before the game in an interview. He will likely play the very important Champions League game in a few games. It's only logical to rest him after those 2 today intense games he played in a few days. + That game is not that important compare to the Champions League. There is not the slightest doubt that he is getting a rest today and that's the reason. He played 2x 90 minutes in 4 days.
You were right, he was benched. For me surprisingly but at the end he played around 40 minutes and with Morita in the pitch they managed to win and go through without play offs .
Morita manged to get back into the starting spot I guess ? 3 starts in a row with pretty solid performances.
3 . Against National, Porto and Famalicano. Of course I mean the league. Hard to include the cup, cause often it's a mega rotation there + that those leage games and the cup was only 4 days stretched.
Semifinals. Morita has started 5 in a row now good. Rarely plays 90 anymore but. 70 is the new thing.
Yeah but nothing to complain, he is a starter and plays way enough. That's totaly fine. He played a good anyway a season. Reminds me a little on Okazaki at Leicester. A sure starter, good games but always get subbed out at around the 70th.
Big mistake to rest him and bring him in the second half. But nonetheless, they look uneatable at the moment.
They managed the turn around together with Morita ! He played 68th minutes like ususual. What a game. Somebody else watched it ?
Starts against Arsenal. I really really hope, Moriyasus will call up Morita for the WC cause he is pure quality and maybe not as strong as the last seasons he is one of the reasons Lissabon is in the Champions League quarter finals and running a very good season ending. Morita knows how to play good ko stage games and that could be vital for the WC.
Of course he is going to call him up. Otherwise its a big mistake. Even though he is always in and out. Good today he finally starts a big game
Very good game from Lissabon with 2-3 huge chances, crossbar etc. but Havertz and Arsenal made a heartbreaking 90 +1 winner. Morita played the full 90th minutes.
Not so sure he's going to call him up. He should, fully agree, Morita is too good to be left out, especially with Endo out, you need somebody with his grit. And even if Endo manages to come back, at this point maybe better to have a fit Morita (if he stays fit) with playing time than a rushed back Endo who hasn't played almost all year. But fear Moriyasu won't call him. The whole situation reminds me of Osako 4 years ago. Starter, then suddenly not called anymore, assumed he would be called back for the WC, no need to test him after all. But wasn't. A mistake, even if only for his penalty skills he should have been there. And think it will end the same way with Morita.. he hasn't been called up forever now.. ok checked, March 25. And he wasn't injured, the whole time, calling him back for the 2 friendlies in March 26 would have made sense if Moriyasu planned to have him at the WC. He also reacted very defensively when asked about it in the press conference. I hope I'm wrong, but think he won't call him. Sano-Kamada starters (and I really would prefer Fujita or Morita for Kamada, Kamada is the better player, but not really in defensive midfield), Fujita-Tanaka reserves, and then a barely fit Endo.
Could be exactly like this, yeah. Fear that too but I guess the reason he wasn't called for the friendlys was maybe to let him recover and play the Champions League.
He'll be there. Hard to say Osako was a mistake when Japan won the group of death. Subbing a player in for PKs, OK. Bringing him just for possibility of PKs? No