It goes without saying that there are no easy matches in the J.League, but Gamba suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Chiba in the last match. Head Coach Myojin reflected on the two away matches against Nagasaki and Chiba, saying, "We aimed for six points in the last two matches, but only managed to get one." However, the team has already shifted its focus to the new battle that will begin with the match against FC Tokyo.

"There were some areas where we weren't able to fully showcase our playing style, so this week we focused on confirming how we should approach the game, including those aspects." (Head Coach Myojin)
Gamba Osaka aims to return to the aggressive pressing from the front line and vertical attacking style of football that they established in the J.LEAGUE 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE.
Head Coach Myojin has been experimenting with different tactics due to the consecutive matches in the middle of summer, but he emphasized a return to basics, stating, "Whether we press from the front or from the midfield depends on the situation of the match, but basically we will press from the front."
I already share the same feelings with the players who are fighting on the pitch.
"We worked hard this week to bring back the momentum we had in the J.LEAGUE 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE, and Head Coach Myojin also told us that he wants to stick to that style," Fukuoka said.

Pressing from the front will be especially crucial against FC Tokyo this season. FC Tokyo, which aims for fast, vertical football, will rely on the center-back pairing of ALEXANDER SCHOLZ and Inamura to be the starting point for their build-up play. "If we don't restrict them from the front, their defensive line will keep dropping back" (Fukuoka). The team will need to execute a coordinated press to seize control of the match from the start.

Along with defending from the front line, the key factor will be whether or not they score the first goal. In the league matches, except for the game against Hiroshima in which they kept a clean sheet, Gamba has conceded the first goal in every match, while FC Tokyo has scored the first goal in every official match this season. "We know that the opponent is in good form, but in the match against FC Tokyo, it will be important for us to play aggressively and take the initiative rather than just playing defensively," emphasizes Head Coach Myojin.
Ideally, they want to take the initiative, but what they must avoid is a situation like the one in the Chiba match, where they make their own mistakes and invite counterattacks. Nakatani also mentioned the team's weaknesses, saying, "There aren't enough long balls played behind the defense, and even when Hummett makes good runs, we're not making the most of them." However, in the early stages of a match, it's also essential to play it safe and use long balls to turn the opponent around or push them back into their own half.

FC Tokyo, currently in 6th place, secured a 2-0 victory against Kyoto in their last match. As evidenced by their record of the most sprints per game in the J1 League, they possess speed in attacking plays. However, the players to watch out for are their forwards, including Nagakura, who has scored 4 goals, and MARCELO RYAN Silvestre Dos Santos, who has scored 3, as well as their wingers, Anzai and Honma. Former Gamba player Taka, who provides high-intensity support in midfield, is also a key player in FC Tokyo's transitions, so caution is needed regarding his ability to avoid unnecessary turnovers.
Gamba Osaka has their ACL Elite opening match just three days away, and "how they win will be important" (Head Coach Myojin). If they can execute the style they originally aim for, the three points that everyone desires will naturally follow.