This season, Gamba has been accumulating points without getting too excited or upset about immediate results, whether they won or lost.
They beat Kobe, who defeated them last season, at home, and earned one point in an away game against Kashima. Gamba, who are in third place, will host Machida, who are in first place, at home to conclude a three-game series against the top teams.
For Gamba, who are just two points behind the leaders Machida, this is a big game that could see them rise to the top of the table for the first time in seven seasons if they win.
Head Coach Poyatos has been cautious and has not spoken frivolously, but he expressed his strong determination to regain the lead, saying, "We have a chance to get Gamba back where it belongs. I told the players that we should all celebrate if we achieve that."
Of course, it is true that we are only halfway through the long league season, but Kurokawa spoke on behalf of the players' feelings, saying, "Gamba hasn't been in first place for years, and now we have a chance to do so at home, so we want to do whatever it takes to take the lead."

Machida is a newly promoted team playing in J1 for the first time, but their strength is obvious. Gamba struggled in the opening game, barely tying the score with a super free kick from Usami, but unlike the early part of the season when they were feeling their way around, their solid defense is functioning well, with the fewest goals conceded in the league, and WELTON , who was absent in the opening game, is fully fit. They are ready to go head-to-head and beat Machida.

The key is the functionality of the attacking line. In the previous match against Kashima, Gamba struggled against the Kashima's solid defense that formed a solid block, and ended up in a scoreless draw, but Usami said, "The central defense is solid, but I have the impression that we can break them down from the sides. That's why the quality of our crosses and the players' entry into the middle will be important."
Machida does not focus on building up the play, but simply sends long balls to the front line, but the difference from when they played in the opening game is that Brazilian FW Erik will be waiting at the front line instead of OH Se Hun , who is out due to injury.

However, what Head Coach Poyatos is most wary of is Hirakawa's presence on the side. "We'll gather players on Hirakawa's side, and then the ball will go to Fujio or Erik" (Head Coach Poyatos).
Hirakawa, who plays on both the left and right wing, has four assists. He and Fujio, who are from the Paris Olympics generation, need to be careful, but careless fouls are also prohibited against Machida, who has scored 10 goals from set pieces.

Machida has struggled with their last two matches, drawing scoreless, but their defense has been solid. At the center of their defense is Tani, who is on loan from Gamba. In addition to Tani, who made a big save in the previous match against Kobe, Shoko, who was absent in the opening match, is also showing his experience as captain.
Machida's style is one of thorough realism, with Usami wary, "They don't seem to be particularly concerned with passing the ball, but they play simple and rational football."
However, what Gamba has been consistent in playing this season is high-energy football.
"If you can challenge your opponent with passion, you won't feel like you're going to lose," Usami declared.
And the view of "leading the league" that Poyatos Gamba has yet to see. Together with the supporters, we just have to go for the win.