Head Coach DANIEL POYATOS : "Kobe is a talented team, so if the opponents start to have the ball, we will have a hard time. As for the key to the match, we will not play while thinking about Kobe, but rather we will think carefully about what Gamba can do and what the current players can express. In that context, what I expect from the players is to never give up and to show each individual's colors. Whether we are winning or losing, I want them to show their own colors and the colors of the team to the fullest. At the same time, I want them to concentrate on duels in both offense and defense. And also, we need to be sure not to miss any scoring opportunities. I think that if we can score early, we can bring the game to Gamba's pace, so I think scoring opportunities are really important."

DF2 Shota FUKUOKA "This will be our first match against Kobe since last year's EMPEROR'S CUP final, so it's not the same stage, but I really want to get revenge. I think it's a battle for the ball, and I think we have to do whatever I can to win, even if it's a dirty game. This year, as with the Yokohama F. Marinos match, it's true that we've struggled against teams that aren't in good form, so none of the players are feeling okay, and I think everyone is conscious of how much they can win in the game before them in order to stay at the top of the league, so rather than thinking about the fact that the opponent is in a bad form due to a losing streak, I want to fight with a more focus on playing our own style of football."

DF3 Riku HANDA "I think Kobe has high individual ability and their defense is also solid, so I think it will be a matter of how to break the pressure from the first line. Also, the same goes for second balls. If we can break one player when we are under pressure, we can make a lot of progress, so I think how much we can do in each situation will be very important on both offense and defense. This season, Kobe has not only been using long balls, but also more balls from Sakai, with Erik joining the team, so I will be careful of what happens after that on the opposite wing. I think the opponents are also quick to switch, so I want to be able to steal the ball and use it for our own attack."