After enduring a tough seven-game stretch in March, alongside the ACL2 schedule, Gamba Osaka returns to the battlefield after a roughly two-week break.
Having reached the semi-finals of the ACL2 and placed third in the Meiji Yasuda J1 J.LEAGUE 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE WEST, the team has fought toughly while juggling two competitions. "The most important thing during this series of matches was to refresh the players. It was a good time for them to recharge," said Head Coach Vising, but they are already in battle mode for the 11 consecutive matches that begin with the game against Kyoto.
Gamba Osaka has shown a new characteristic this season: fast, direct attacks down the flanks. They've also incorporated ball possession into their attacking style, and their direction remains consistent in the matches since the restart.

Kyoto will undoubtedly be putting up a fierce battle, but Abe stated emphatically, "They'll press from the front and be strong in tackles, but we've been working hard since training camp to match their intensity, so we won't lose."

While maintaining a vertical approach, aiming for the opponent's goal after winning the ball as a team, they will also directly confront and overpower Kyoto's aggressive style in localized battles.

The goal conceded in the second half is one area for improvement, but Nakatani also focused on the present, saying, "We're playing very well in the first half, but we're losing momentum in the second half, so managing that is the challenge."

While scoring many goals would be ideal, if the team works together with a unified strategy, including in set pieces and dealing with crosses, they shouldn't collapse completely.

Kyoto, on the other hand, is in second place with a better goal difference than Gamba, but like Gamba, they will be heading to Panasonic Stadium Suita aiming for just three points to close the gap with Kobe. Last season they finished in third place, the best result in the club's history, but the team's foundation remains unchanged. Head Coach JENS WISSING has expressed caution, saying, "They are a good team with good players and physical strength."
As evidenced by the fact that they have faced each other eight times in league matches since the 2022 season when they were promoted back to J1 under Head Coach Cho, with a record of 2 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses, they are undoubtedly a formidable opponent that combines an aggressive style with individual strength.

Elias Da Silva Bataglia Rafael(RAFAEL ELIAS) is currently sidelined due to injury, but Oliveira lemos MARCO TULIO, who conceded two goals and one assist in last season's away match, is currently in good form with four goals and one assist. "Kyoto is a team that comes at you with high intensity. They have high-level players up front and can finish you off in one go," Yamashita said, and the players are well aware that they cannot afford to make even a moment's mistake.

With the 1st Leg of the ACL2 semi-final just four days after the Kyoto match, Abe expressed the team's consensus, saying, "We want to win tomorrow and play a good game to head into ACL2."
This head-to-head match, where the winner will secure sole second place, will undoubtedly be a battle that will "determine future rankings."
First, Gamba needs to secure a victory against Kyoto to gain momentum heading into the Asian competition.