Gamba showed that they are on a different level this season in the league match against Nagoya, where they won dramatically with Fukuda's first goal of the season. For the second consecutive match at Panasonic Stadium Suita, they showed their competitive spirit by scoring the winning goal in the second half.
"The team is in good form, so we want to go all out." Usami, who assisted the winning goal in the Nagoya match, also spoke of the team's growing strength, but it has been three days since the joy of that Nagoya match. Gamba will be taking on the EMPEROR'S CUP's Cup semi-finals, where the top spot is now within sight.

Since the appointment of Head Coach Poyatos, Gamba has continued to stick to an attacking style, but their next goal is to recapture the title.
"I have always said that we should all work together to bring Gamba back to where it belongs. The players are all eager to fight in tomorrow's game, and I believe we are definitely going to the finals," said Head Coach Poyatos.
It would be best to advance in 90 minutes, but in a cup match, the only thing that is required is a result, whether that be extra time or a penalty shootout. The ideal would be to break open Yokohama F･Marinos' goal with the aggressive pressing and sharp attacks from the front that they have been using this season, but at the same time, what is needed is "high passion" (Usami), which has been the keyword for their good performance this season. "In order to control the ball, we need to steal it," said Usami, who leads the team on both offense and defense.

Yamashita, who holds the key to side attacks in this match with WELTON suspended, said, "The offense and defense on the sides will be important against Yokohama F･Marinos. I think it will be a heated match, so I want to enter the game with the most passion I've had this year, and the whole team will come in." He wants to give the team momentum on both offense and defense.
Yamada, who lost in the EMPEROR'S CUP final as a member of Kashiwa last season, will naturally be highly motivated as he will be facing his former club where he made his professional debut. Yamada is indispensable in the defense from the front, but he is also likely to work hard to limit the build-up play of Yokohama F･Marinos, who are good at ball possession.

Meanwhile, Yokohama F･Marinos will be highly motivated to make their first appearance in the semi-finals in seven seasons. Their most recent match was an away game against Shandong at the ACLE, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Although their league record this season is even with one win and one loss, this will be their first match against Yokohama F･Marinos , led by Head Coach John Hutchinson.
"With the new Head Coach, the players, including the opposing team's double defensive midfielders, are moving dynamically" (Head Coach Poyatos). Gamba is starting to show its strength in exchanges, but careless conceding goals is still a big problem, so they will need to be extremely careful of Anderson Jose Lopes De Souza(ANDERSON LOPES), Elber, and YAN MATHEUS Santos Souza ' powerful front three.

"If we don't make the plays that decide the game, we can't advance in the tournament. Strikers and GK are the ones who can do that," said Ichimori, who will be facing his former club. He plans to shut down his teammate from last season with the super saves he showed in the match against Nagoya.
There are two hurdles left before they can finally reclaim their long-cherished title. Gamba has grabbed a ticket to the final.