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MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE 1st Sec.
2025.2.14(Fri) 19:00 KICK OFF

vs.Cerezo Osaka

Panasonic Stadium Suita

DAZN to watch the match

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2025.2.13［TEAM］

[Preview] Continuity and evolution will be on display in the opening match. Gamba gets off to a great start in the Osaka Derby

Gamba, who finished 4th in the league last season and have certainly established a foothold for a comeback, will take on the Osaka Derby in the opening match of the 2025 season.
"Just the opening match gets the adrenaline going, but the Derby also gets the supporters on board. On the contrary, I hope we don't get too excited." As the battle-hardened Nakatani said, the perfect stage has been set for Gamba to get off to a good start in the season.

This season marks the third year under the Poyatos regime, and on the first day, the manager, who is both theoretical and passionate, declared, "In a word, it will be a challenge."

While Gamba will continue to show the solid defense that has led to the second fewest goals conceded in the league and the "passion" that team leaders such as Usami always talk about, they are also aiming for new evolution.
Gamba now shows a flexible fighting style according to the opponent, and not only does it have the ball, but it also has speed by utilizing the momentum of both wings. On top of that, what Head Coach has been implementing in the preseason is "applying strong pressure, and when you have the opponent in a trap, never letting it go. Also, reorganizing offense and defense quickly, and not giving the opponent time to play" (Head Coach Poyatos). It is a style that focuses on taking the ball deeper into the opponent's territory and makes use of the strengths of the attackers in the front line, and the opening game is the perfect opponent for the direction Gamba is taking.

ARTHUR PAPAS, who has been in charge of the team since this season, was previously a Head Coach for Yokohama F･Marinos and contributed to the team's victory in the 2019 season, but he is a manager who aims to build up from the back and maintain possession of the ball.
For that reason, aggressive defense from the front is essential to victory, but Usami, who embodies the team's passion at the forefront, said, "I want to be conscious of going for the ball from the front, continue what we were able to do last year, and show that this has become the identity of our current team."

Last season's main players Sakamoto and DAWHAN have been transferred, but Okuno, who has experience playing for the Japanese national team, will be a new weapon. "I'm happy with Kanji and I think he'll help the team," said Head Coach Poyatos, expressing his satisfaction with Okuno's fit in his J1 debut. His defensive strength and outstanding breakthrough power, which he learned in Germany, will undoubtedly be a new weapon for Gamba.
The team that finished 10th last season is trying to develop a new style this season under a new Head Coach , but Leo Ceará, who scored 21 goals, has moved to Kashima. They have also added two new Brazilian FW , Rafael Rogerio Da Silva(RAFAEL RATAO) and THIAGO ANDRADE , but LUCAS FERNANDES is still a player to watch out for.
"We're in our third year under the same Head Coach, and our philosophy and fighting style are well-established. The players haven't changed much either, but we've certainly built up more than they have. The question is whether we can express that on the pitch," Usami said, expressing Gamba's pride.
Gamba will be looking to get off to a great start in the derby as they aim to regain their former glory this season.

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