Head Coach Jens Vissing : "I'm really looking forward to it. I'm excited, and I feel like the season is finally starting. The start of the season is important for every team. What's more, the opening match is a derby that attracts attention no matter where we go, so we want to go into the match with a strong mindset. Cerezo Osaka is brave and tries to connect from the back, and each player has individual strength, so I think they are one of the most dangerous teams. However, rather than focusing on the opponent, I think it will be about how well we can bring out our strengths. I think that will be very important in the match. We are improving day by day in terms of our intensity in going after the ball and in terms of keeping possession, so we are well prepared and want to go into the opening match with confidence."

GK1 Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI : "It's been a few years since the opening game, so I'm excited that it's finally starting, but because it's the Osaka Derby, I have a different kind of feeling, a special feeling. To win, we need to reduce the number of goals we concede, and I don't think there's any point in trying new things and conceding more goals, so I want to communicate well with the defensive line and fight responsibly to keep the score at zero as much as possible. A GK's job is to stop the ball, so I want to do my best to make a difference there. Since it's a derby, we really can't afford to lose, and since it's been a while since we've played at YANMAR STADIUM NAGAI, and I think a lot of people will be watching, I want to go into the game with only the goal of winning in mind."

DF4 Shinnosuke NAKATANI "We'll have to wait and see how it goes during the match, but with a new Head Coach, I think we'll be able to go into the match fresh and in good shape. In last year's opening Osaka Derby, we were excited but we pressed from the front and were evaded, which resulted in us conceding goals, so to avoid that happening again, it's absolutely important to have good balance and control, and I want to make sure I make good decisions there. Cerezo Osaka is a team that is fast up front, and they get behind the defense and connect from the back, so if we can work well together in that area, I think we can score a goal with a short counter attack. This is my first match of the season and as captain, so I want to get into a good flow."