Head Coach Crupi: "The first thing I want to say about today's game is that I would like to give my heartfelt praise to the players. I was able to clearly see it this week when I was watching the players' expressions, and I could always sense their determination to win today's game.
I think that Cerezo is playing a more stable game than Gamba this season.
I would like to offer my heartfelt praise to the players who gave it their all in terms of fighting spirit, wore the Gamba uniform and fought with pride in the match.
"I would also like to dedicate this victory to all of our supporters who have always supported us and share our joy with them. Thank you so much."

Q: "I think the Levain Cup was the reason you chose Takae as a starter. What was the reason for choosing him as a starter? I think the moment that led to the penalty kick was because Takae stole the ball. What do you think about his performance today?"
Head Coach Crupi: "You're absolutely right. When I saw him play in the Levain Cup, I saw that he played without hesitation, without fear of making mistakes, and with a lot of spirit. And even if he made a mistake, he continued to play his own game. I thought he played well in that sense, so I chose him today. As for the scene that led to the penalty kick, I think his play today was very good, including that."

Q: "Please tell us as much as you know about Higashiguchi's condition."
Head Coach said, "I'm very worried about his condition, but the doctor said he probably has a fracture under his eye. We'll probably get a detailed examination tomorrow, but I hope it's not a fracture. However, we can't say anything definitive yet, so we'll wait for the results of the examination."

Q: "Please tell us your impression of playing the derby against the team you once led, Cerezo."
Head Coach Crupi: "To be honest, I didn't want to play against Cerezo if possible. However, as a professional, this happens often when you play soccer, and it's not just us. For example, Kurata-san used to play for Cerezo, but today we're playing against his former club. I think this is something that happens as a professional. But to be honest, I have mixed emotions. It's a life-or-death battle with teammates that I can call "amigos," so I have very mixed emotions. However, at this stage, Cerezo Osaka is playing more stably than GAMBA OSAKA, and we still have some way to go.
The battle continues to be full of ups and downs. If we can become a little more stable in our football, I think we can achieve better results.