Makoto, how disappointed were you with Japan being knocked out of the Asian Cup?
Of course very disappointed. It was not easy to accept the result as we had hoped for more.
The average age of the Japanese squad was fairly high, are there no talents developing?
We do have some great young players who will come through. I am convinced that more and more will prevail.
Was it difficult to come back from Asia to return to Bundesliga action right away, without break or preparation?
Too be honest I was happy about that after the Asian Cup knock-out. That way I was distracted and was able to fully focus on Eintracht and the Bundesliga.
What is your target for the season?
Of course to finish as far up the standings as possible. But if you look at the table you will find how tight everything is, towards the top as well as towards the bottom. It’s best to always focus on the next match.
You have been playing in Germany for some time now. Do you plan to finish your active career in Germany or Japan and do you have plans for the time afterwards?
The world of football is changing constantly and rapidly. That’s why I always focus on the here and now and I will then see what the future brings.
Skill and pace: Takashi Inui
Takashi, last summer you got Japanese back-up with Makoto Hasebe joining the team. How do you get on?
We get on really well, have plenty of similar interests and it is always nice to have a fellow country man around.
There are quite a few Japanese Bundesliga players these days, such as Schalke’s Uchida or Okazaki of Mainz. Are you in touch and which of them is most tough to play against?
That’s right. You don’t get to talk much to them on matchdays but of course we have a chat after the match and catch up a little. Against Uchida of Schalke it was pretty tough to play recently. But Kagawa and Kiyotake are also a handful. (laughs)
How did you and Makoto cope with the early knock-out of Japan during the Asian Cup?
We were disappointed of course, we had expected more than we achieved in the end.
Back in Frankfurt there was no break for you as the season continued.
Yes we had the match against Freiburg right away which I thought was good. Of course the travels were exhausting but we are both in good shape and we were happy to keep on playing.
Which players do you reckon are good with take-ons and runs?
There are plenty, from the Japanese players Kagawa, Usami, Kakitani and Kusukami to name just a few. There are also plenty in the Bundesliga: Ribery, Robben, Götze, Reus, they’re all great players.
How do you prepare for games? And how do you spend your spare time?
I listen to Japanese music, for example Yuzu. That puts me in a good frame of mind ahead of matches. And I spend my spare time mostly at home and with my family.
When did you actually start playing football?
Literally when I was able to walk, I always played with my older brother.
And who are the team mates you get on with?
We all get on really well. But as I said „Hase“ and I get on, also Kittel and Stendera for example.
What’s your prediction for the match against Hamburger SV?
I am always optimistic, hence I believe in a home win. Of course it won’t be easy to achieve that.
