This is our first time back at Panasonic Stadium Suita in the J1 League since the opening match against Urawa Reds . It's a tough match with only 2nd year of junior high school days' rest after the EMPEROR'S CUP 2nd Leg match against Raylac Shiga FC, but after the disappointing result against Nagoya Grampus last week, we want to make sure we erase that feeling in this match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Looking back at the matches so far, I feel that there are still not enough times when the team has been able to play the game in an ideal way. Of course, it's still early in the season, so I don't expect everything to go exactly as planned, but I think we can further refine our "unity" in how we play as a team. I felt this in the Nagoya match, which was the first time I played the full match of the season, but if we can't clearly define that everyone should press from the front, or everyone should push the defensive line up, then various weaknesses will inevitably appear in the team. I think the first and foremost thing we need to do in this week's match against Hiroshima is to make that clear.

Hiroshima gives the impression of being a team with a strong sense of unity in both offense and defense. They have players on both the left and right flanks with distinctive characteristics, such as strong vertical driving force and high accuracy in crosses, and they seem to utilize these strengths to launch attacks. However, we should be able to shut down such attacks if we can apply strong pressure high up the pitch and win the ball back. As I said earlier, if we press, we want to go as a team and make sure we win the ball back and finish our attack. Also, in the league matches so far, we have conceded the first goal in every game, so I think it will be important to score the first goal in order to control the pace of the game.

The most important thing is to win. Especially at this time of year, winning helps the team gain momentum, so we absolutely want to win. We also want to use the pressure of playing at home in Panasonic Stadium Suita Stadium to our advantage.
As I felt in the Urawa match, a packed Panasonic Stadium Suita is truly impressive and inspiring. I also love how the first and second tiers surround the stadium, creating a home-field atmosphere. Personally, in my 25 years with Gamba, and in special seasons, I've been plagued by injuries that forced me to take long breaks, so I haven't been able to play a full match in a packed Panasonic Panasonic Stadium Suita. But this season, I want to have more of those matches and experience many moments of victory at Panasonic Stadium Suita and celebrate with all of you. I hope you'll support us with a fantastic atmosphere this match as well. We'll play a passionate game to reciprocate that support!