Gamba has a clear goal of regaining the title in the 2026 season. Since January, Gamba has been working to build a new style under manager Vissing, the club's second German Head Coach in history.
"The Head Coach calls the speed and switching of the forward passes after stealing the ball "gegenpressing," and I think that's something that has changed since last year," said new captain Nakatani, explaining the direction the team is aiming for.

Head Coach has served as a coach for teams such as PSV and Benfica, and has been exposed to cutting-edge European tactics. His goal for Gamba is to play a style of football that is high-pressure and intense, a trend in modern football.
"When playing this style of football, it's important that we work as one, without any disparity in both offense and defense,"Head Coach Vissing. This season's style is based on high intensity and movement on both offense and defense, rather than just aggressively trying to steal the ball from the front line, and from the start of the season, the players have been working to change their mindset as they compete on an equal footing.

The Osaka Derby, the opening match of the J.LEAGUE 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE, is the perfect opponent for the new Gamba to gauge their position. Although it is a special tournament with no promotion or relegation, "the importance is the same as any other match. No matter what tournament or situation, the first match is always important," said Usami, emphasizing the importance of this derby, which they cannot afford to lose.

The functionality of the press will also be key to eradicating the disappointment of last season's opening match. "We press from the front, but the opponent is a team that keeps the ball. The outcome of the game will be clear depending on whether we can steal the ball or not," says Yamashita.
Under the same manager as last season, Gamba will want to apply effective pressure against opponents who place a heavy emphasis on building up from the back, but they have no intention of playing monotonous football that relies solely on pressing.
They will always maintain an awareness of pressing vertically towards the opponent's goal, but Abe, as a defensive midfielder, intends to control the team's rhythm, saying, "We want to trap them well from the front, but after they've broken free, we just need everyone to sprint back."

Although Rafael Rogerio Da Silva(RAFAEL RATAO), who was second in the J1 League scoring rankings last season, has been transferred, the opposing team still has attackers to watch out for, such as THIAGO ANDRADE and new signing Solomon SAKURAGAWA, but Higashiguchi, who knows the derby inside and out, is full of energy for the opening game. "A GK's job is to make a difference, so I want to make that happen," he said, and he will support the back line with his famous shot-stopping skills.

This will be the first derby at YANMAR STADIUM NAGAI since the 2021 season, and supporters will be cheering on the team as they eagerly await a victory in the first game under Vissing's management.
Abe said that it would be ideal if the football they aim for works and they win, but "it's a derby and the new Head Coach's first match, so we absolutely want to win," and Nakatani also emphasized that "especially at the beginning of the season, results are more important than content."

The ideal situation would be to win in 90 minutes, but the regulations of the J.LEAGUE 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE stipulate that a penalty shootout is also possible. Whatever the outcome, it is only Gamba who will be able to shout in victory on enemy territory.