[Preview] The stage is set for Gamba to show their true worth. Gamba will stop the strong Urawa and aim for their first three consecutive wins this season.｜ GAMBA OSAKA Official Site

In the previous match against Shonan, where they were aiming for a consecutive win, they showed a goal rush, scoring four goals in the first half alone. There is no doubt that Humet’s super goal, which was his second consecutive match, was the catalyst, but Gamba’s total strength was gathered together to win the three points.
Despite the busy schedule, Head Coach Poyatos’ management was also effective. Kishimoto, who was selected as a starter, scored two goals in one game for the first time in J1, and the five substitutes, including Kurata and MESHINO, who were sent in one after another in the second half, also contributed to the victory with their hard work.
Gamba, who have risen to 10th place, will face Urawa after a 2nd year of junior high school day break. “It will be a difficult match as it is their home ground. It will be about how much we can show of what we are doing now, and how much of what is becoming our weapon,” Usami said emphatically, symbolizing the importance of this match.

Urawa is currently on a five-game winning streak for the first time since the 2016 season, and has won six games in a row at Saitama Stadium this season. Their momentum is real as they are currently in second place.

In the matches against Kyoto and Shonan, Gamba was able to exploit the space the opponents gave them exactly as they had planned. Head Coach Poyatos praised Humet’s individual ability, saying, “The ability to really make accurate decisions determines the outcome of the match.” Gamba was able to break through the opponents’ goal with the individual strength of Humet, but against Urawa, they will need to play in a different way.
Urawa, led by Head Coach MACIEJ SKORZA , will form a block and show a solid fight, but Head Coach has lost all five official matches against Urawa led by Skorja. However, Head Coach Poyatos intends to stick to the current philosophy of Gamba.
“It will be important to read where we can inflict damage on the opponent and what spaces we can exploit,”Head Coach Poyatos.

Unlike the last two games, where they simplified their attacks with long counterattacks from their own half against opponents who came forward, they will need to move the ball carefully to attack Urawa, but the key is to score the first goal. Gamba has won every game this season, so Suzuki said, “If we can score first, it will be easier to advance the game and it will be an easier plan for us,” and he intends to patiently move the ball against Urawa.

Particularly motivated is Yamashita, who was on the bench but did not play in the previous match. “I know that I have to play in the Urawa match to make up for the rest I got in the Shonan match, and that it will be an important match.” Urawa’s new addition this season, Matheus Goncalve Savio(MATHEUS SAVIO), will be the key player on both offense and defense, as he will be the key attacker from the left wing.

Urawa, who will be coming to win at an expectedly full Saitama Stadium, have “changed the team with the replacement of Matsuo as the front player. They have gained speed up the field and match up well with the players in the second row,” said Usami. Matsuo has scored three goals, but the player they need to be most wary of is attacking midfielder Watanabe, who is in good form with five goals and one assist. Of course, they also need to be careful of individual Brazilian players such as Matheus Goncalve Savio(MATHEUS SAVIO), who has four assists, and Thiago Santos Santana(THIAGO SANTANA), who has three goals.

Gamba now has the power to break through the “red wall” that stands in their home ground. “If we can get the Urawa match, we’ll gain even more momentum” (Suzuki). The big match is here to show Gamba’s true worth.