In their first big match of the season, against Pohang in the ACL2, Gamba struggled towards the end, but the results were impressive, winning every single match. It was their first home win under Vissing, and Handa emphasized, "The fact that we were able to advance and beat a strong Korean opponent despite the difficult circumstances of having to play consecutive matches and having injuries will be significant for the season ahead."

Gamba is competing in both the ACL2 and the Meiji Yasuda J1 J.LEAGUE 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE at the same time, but the young manager has already turned his attention to the next match. "We'll be back in the league next season, and we need to get some points there too," said Head Coach.
Gamba is currently in 6th place out of 10 teams in the WEST, but is only 2 points behind leaders Hiroshima. In this match against Okayama, they are aiming for a 90-minute victory, something they have yet to achieve.
The key to winning the match against Okayama is clear. "Okayama will use a compact, high-intensity press. To break through their five-man defense, confident, well-timed movements and the movements of various players will be important," said Head Coach Vissing, who scouted Okayama.

Last season, Gamba lost both of their matches against Okayama in their first J1 league match. Both games were humiliating, as they failed to score a goal, but this will be a golden opportunity for the new Gamba to show Okayama the strengths of the team and exact revenge.

Beating a five-man defense is no easy task, but the players can see the path forward. A hint can be found in the way they dominated Pohang up until the start of the second half.

"Everyone is focused on playing vertically, which makes it difficult for the opponent to defend," said Kurata, and Handa emphasized, "Yamashita Ryoya and others are also very conscious of taking over the opponent's pockets (the space around the penalty area)."

The first goal they scored against Pohang, who also played with a five-man back line, was an ideal example of this, and Head Coach Vissing also expressed his confidence in his players, saying, "We were able to demonstrate that on the pitch in the match against Pohang, and I would like to perform at the same level in our next match against Okayama."

Okayama, meanwhile, will be looking to face Gamba in search of a win, something they have yet to achieve this season. They are currently in seventh place with two points, but both of their away games ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, before losing in a penalty shootout. The tactics of former Gamba Head Coach have taken root, and while there have been no major changes to the team's base, their strong point, solid defense, remains strong this season.
It's also clear that Okayama is by no means a team that relies solely on solid defense. While Lucao and former Gamba player Kazumi, two potential top strikers, each have their strengths, the one they need to be most wary of is former Japan national team player Esaka, who has already scored one goal. Higashiguchi, who has been making a string of excellent defensive plays, also said with a serious expression, "The quality of the top striker is high, so we need to be careful of that."

It was a match where both teams showed their high level of intensity, but Gamba used their Vissing style to break through Okayama's five-man defense. Head Coach's determination to "decide the game firmly in the 90 minutes and added time" was embodied in the sold-out away venue.