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MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE 21st Sec.
2025.6.22(Sun) 18:30 KICK OFF

vs.FC Tokyo

Panasonic Stadium Suita

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2025.6.21［TEAM］

[Preview] Away defeats at home: risk management is key in the match against FC Tokyo

In the 2nd Leg of the EMPEROR'S CUP , Gamba took the lead against Viatin Mie, but Sasaki's first goal for Gamba and Humet's winning goal gave Gamba a 2-1 victory. With their first come-from-behind victory in an official match this season, Gamba will now face FC Tokyo at Panasonic Stadium Suita with three days to go.
Although the team will be playing consecutive matches amid the scorching heat, Gamba's next goal is to earn three points in the league after a five-game winless streak.
"We haven't won any of our last five league games, but we've been creating shooting opportunities and although we still have some work to do to finish it off, the atmosphere in the team is good," Handa said.

If Gamba wants to win, they will need to learn from the disappointment of their 0-3 away defeat. Although they created numerous chances in the first half, they conceded goals in quick succession from counterattacks in the closing stages. However, the key to the match against FC Tokyo will be the Spanish word "vijráncia" (risk management), which Head Coach Poyatos has emphasized since taking office.
"Because this will be a different match against the opponent in the EMPEROR'S CUP, we made sure to place emphasis on controlling our counterattacks and made thorough preparations," said Head Coach Poyatos.
In recent years, FC Tokyo has also adopted a style that emphasizes ball possession, but Gamba's aim, especially at home, is to use the organizational skills of Ravi and others to move the ball around and force opening up the opponent's goal.
Fukuoka also commented, "FC Tokyo will come at us with long and short counter attacks, so the Head Coach wants us to be careful about them."

This season, FC Tokyo has mainly played with a three-back formation, but in the previous match they used a four-back formation for the first time this season, which ended in a 2-2 draw. It is unclear whether FC Tokyo, who are known for their fast vertical attacks, will use a four-back formation this match, but they have a number of attackers up front who should be wary.
MARCELO RYAN Silvestre Dos Santos, who scored two goals in the previous match and has scored six in the league, the most on the team, is a player to watch out for, but Tawara Tsumita, who Gamba has allowed to concede goals to in the past two seasons, made his debut for the national team in the recent World Cup Asian final qualifying match against Australia. Handa, who will be facing him, also said, "We have to make sure we don't let him receive the ball in a good position."

FC Tokyo is no longer fixated on ball possession and is beginning to show sharp counter attacks, but for Abe, the next match will be against his former club. "FC Tokyo is strong in solid defense and quick attacks, so it's troublesome that they have changed their style a little," Abe said, expressing his caution. If he plays, it will be his home debut in the league, but he is full of energy, saying, "I'm only going to play for Gamba's victory."

Like Gamba, FC Tokyo won the 2nd Leg of the EMPEROR'S CUP and will be heading to the stadium with three days of rest. As of the end of the previous round, they were provisionally in 17th place, but they are only one point behind Niigata, who are in 18th place. During the break, they have added new players such as Muroya, a former Japan national team player who is returning after a five-year hiatus, and Nagakura, who joined on loan from Urawa, and they will be heading to the away ground aiming for a win.

With an emphasis on risk management, they must cleverly and surely pry open the opponent's goal. "If we want to win the game in front of us and gradually move up the ranks, a draw is not an option. We want to get three points," Handa said of Gamba's thoughts.
With the backing of their passionate supporters, it's time to repay the debt of their away game.

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