Gamba has risen to 5th place after winning 1-0 against Nagoya, who suffered two losses last season. In addition to keeping clean sheets for the second consecutive game, Gamba showed an ironclad defense that almost never allowed the opponent to create a scoring opportunity. This is mainly due to the fact that not only the last line of players such as Kazumori and Nakatani held firm, but also the defensive awareness of the entire team overlaps as one vector.
Fukuoka also said, "We are able to defend in part because the players up front work hard," but the fact that no one, including Usami, slacks off in hard work has resulted in the result of the fewest goals conceded in the league.
The match against Tokyo Verdy, which will be held three days later, will be a challenge for Gamba to overcome a wall that they have not yet overcome this season. Gamba has been stopped at two consecutive wins twice so far, and their goal is to win three consecutive games for the first time this season. "We have risen in the rankings now, won the Osaka Derby, and everyone understands the importance of passion for the game. "Rather than being superior in terms of quality or tactics, you can't win unless you surpass your opponent in terms of passion," Usami said, stressing the importance of mindset.

Their away opponent is Tokyo Verdy, who were promoted to J1 this season for the first time in 16 years, but they are an opponent to be foreseen, not least because of their 11th-placed ranking, but because they are unbeaten in their last 10 games.
"They have a lot of really hard workers and are strong in the ball-fighting ranks,"Head Coach Poyatos.
With a total of 20 goals, tied for fourth in the league, Tokyo Verdy's offensive power cannot be underestimated. Gamba wants to control the pace with disciplined and tenacious defense, as they showed in the Derby and Nagoya match, but at the same time, effective ball possession is essential. Head Coach Poyatos also spoke of the importance of not remaining passive, saying, "In the Nagoya match, we had a possession rate of over 60% in the first half, but we made sure to create a situation where the opponent could not attack."
Tokyo Verdy is one day behind Gamba in terms of schedule, but in the previous round they were three points behind Kashima and managed to draw 3-3. Even without Someno and Hayashi, who are on loan from Kashima, their attacking line showed explosive power and is a force to be reckoned with.

Yamami, who is on loan from Gamba, cannot play due to his contract, but Gamba will need to be particularly careful of Kimura, the team's top scorer with six goals, and left-handed Yamada Fuuki, who qualified for the Paris Olympics with the U- Fuki YAMADA. Kurokawa, who is likely to be matched up against Yamada, who has three goals, also said, "I want to be conscious of not committing fouls to give away free kicks and not letting him swing his left foot."

And the biggest point of Tokyo Verdy is how they fight at the end of the game. "The young players work hard and fight until the end" (Kurokawa).
Tokyo Verdy has conceded goals in the second half's additional time in four games, but also scored in three games. For Gamba, it would be ideal to take the lead with multiple goals, but it will be a battle where even a moment's gap cannot be tolerated until the time is up.
The "Original 10" showdown will be held on "J-League Day" on May 15th. Of course, Gamba will win.