MATCHES
Match schedule and results
2024.3.16(Sat) 15:00 KICK OFF

2
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1

4 ' Takashi USAMI
57 ' DAWHAN
60 ' Ryo GERMAIN
Player's comments after the match
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Head Coach comments after the match
Head Coach Poyatos: "Until the 60th minute, we were leading 2-0 and I thought we could widen the gap, but we struggled with Germain and Peixoto. I think if we had scored the third goal, it would have been better. It wasn't an error that allowed us to score, but I think we were a little unlucky. After that, we struggled with the ball getting passed back to the opponent after the opponent took a shot, but I think everyone persevered through that. I think each and every one of us played our role. I'm very happy with these three points, and I'm glad that Kazumori made a great move and a nice save at the end. I'm really grateful for these three points."
Q: "Unlike previous matches, this time we were able to score goals in the flow of the game, which I think was a positive thing. What do you think about that?"
Head Coach Poyatos: "That's right. I'm happy that we scored from this flow, and I said this in my media response the day before, but I wasn't particularly worried about the fact that we didn't score from this flow in the last two games, and only scored from set pieces. In the Niigata match, and in the first and second halves today, we created some good scoring opportunities, so I thought that all we had to do was finish them off. I think we could have scored one more goal in the second half, so I wasn't worried about that part. My personal belief is that we want our fans, the people who come to Panasonic Stadium Suita, to be happy with our Gamba playing style, and at the same time, to have the players play with joy, so I think we've achieved that so far."
Q: "You were able to regain possession immediately from the first half, and as Head Coach Poyatos mentioned, the speed of switching worked well. Is your aim going forward to further improve your ability to attack well from a good defense? Or will you need to make substitutions when players get tired? Will you be able to maintain your ability to regain possession by changing players, or will you need to create periods of calm during the game? Is this the kind of range you need to have in the future?"
Head Coach Poyatos: "This switching is a very important element for us. We want to always keep the opponent in a difficult position, not giving them time and not letting them organize their game. This switching and other physical elements are very important, but I want to move forward with the team, including that. If we had scored the third goal today, we could have damaged the opponent and ended the game. There are times when we can't do everything, including switching, in the flow of the game, so at those times we can play compactly and push forward, but I don't want to be in a waiting state. I also think that the opponent will take measures against that, so I want to work with the players so that we can continue in our style for a long time in the future. Last season, it was quite difficult to incorporate the idea of pushing forward instead of waiting, but this season I think we are making good habits and progress in a good way, and of course I want to continue doing it this way."
Q: Head Coach Poyatos said that the reason for the good start so far is the physical aspects and the penetration of tactics, but what do you think is the main reason?
Head Coach Poyatos: "Last season, we struggled a lot here as a team. We may have had many problems, but I think we've become much stronger mentally. It's still too early to judge that mental growth after these three games, but I think we can see it. When things are bad, we tend to look for excuses, but of course there's luck and misfortune in the game, and of course there are times when we make a goal or can't. So I think it's important that we continue to play this football, as a team. We want to think carefully about the next game."